Andre Onana Suffers Major Setback as Cameroon Drop Him from AFCON Squad

Dec 2, 2025 - 07:56

Andre Onana’s international career hit a devastating blow as Cameroon shockingly dropped the Trabzonspor goalkeeper from their 2025 AFCON squad, capping a chaotic day marked by manager Marc Brys’ sudden dismissal.

The 29-year-old, who has earned 53 caps for his country, had featured throughout Cameroon’s recent World Cup qualifying campaign. However, his contribution in those matches was not enough to convince the national team’s selection committee, who has opted to leave the experienced shot-stopper out of the final AFCON group travelling to face Gabon, Ivory Coast and Mozambique.

The surprise omission capped a chaotic day in Cameroonian football. Manager Marc Brys already under pressure following a string of inconsistent performances was dismissed by the federation less than a week before AFCON kicks off on December 21. His departure, alongside Onana’s removal, has sparked confusion among supporters and intensified scrutiny on the leadership ahead of a crucial tournament.

Onana’s club career has also been marked by rapid highs and dramatic lows. After excelling at Ajax and later starring in Serie A with Inter Milan, he earned a £43 million move to Manchester United in 2023. But a series of costly mistakes and the pressure of expectations led to his demotion under new manager Ruben Amorim.

Speaking earlier this season, Amorim explained that the decision to send Onana on loan to Trabzonspor was driven by the need for a “reset” in the goalkeeping department, citing the overwhelming scrutiny players face at Old Trafford.

Despite the setback, Onana has enjoyed a solid start to life in Turkey, making 11 appearances across all competitions. Reports in Trabzon suggest the club is considering turning his loan move into a permanent deal, impressed by his leadership and improving consistency.

At United, his replacement Belgian keeper Senne Lammens has enjoyed a promising introduction, even if clean sheets have been scarce. With United seemingly prepared to move forward without him and Cameroon opting for a fresh direction, questions now arise about whether Onana can restore his reputation at either level.

For now, his immediate future appears uncertain. Once regarded as one of Europe’s most dynamic and technically gifted goalkeepers, Onana now faces the challenge of rebuilding both his club career and his standing with the national team, all while watching AFCON from afar.

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ABAYO Bonheur ABAYO Bonheur is a professional sports journalist with extensive experience across multiple radio stations and digital platforms. He holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Rwanda, where he honed his skills in reporting, storytelling mainly documentaries. Throughout his career, Bonheur has gained both tangible experiences in live broadcasting and reporting, as well as the ability to maintain anonymity when covering sensitive stories. His versatility allows him to produce insightful, accurate, and engaging content across a variety of sports, earning him recognition for professionalism and reliability in the field.