2008 African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Adebayor is not happy with Andre Onana’s attitude towards Cameroon following his invitation to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Onana reported late to the Indomitable Lions’ camp in Yamoussoukro on Monday morning after honouring club commitments with Manchester United in the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Despite his late arrival, the shot-stopper made Rigobert Song’s selection for the game against Guinea but he was an unused substitute as Fabrice Ondoa got the nod to be in goal.
The tactical decision reportedly left Onana frustrated in the locker room but Adebayor suggested that there could be an issue with the Man Utd star and the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
The Togo legend said: “Andre Onana did not respect Cameroon. I was a player like him. I was even the most important player in my selection and I never did that [arrive on the day of the match].
“The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation. And he risks losing big because he has alienated the Cameroonian supporters and many African supporters. probably also some in the locker room.”
Meanwhile, Song has defended his decision for not playing Onana against Guinea, claiming he arrived in Ivory Coast 4a.m on Monday and he can’t be put ahead of players who have been training for a 5p.m game.
He told beIN Sport: “Andre, we all know that he wouldn’t play. We need to stick to our logic. He arrived at 4a.m, how do you expect him to play at 5p.m He is part of the squad. There is the rest of the competition and I’m sticking with my full squad.”
