Samuel Eto’o has “unprofessional problem” with André Onana, claims former Cameroon FF vice-president

As Manchester United near the signing of goalkeeper André Onana from Inter Milan, for the time being, fans won’t have to worry about the absence of Onana in January 2024 when his native Cameroon will be aiming to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Last December, André Onana called a halt on his Cameroon career after a reported dispute with coach Rigobert Song which saw the soon-to-be Manchester United player sent home from the World Cup in Qatar last year.

Fresh claims from the former third vice-president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Henry Djalla Quan, has claimed Onana was a victim of “injustice” during the World Cup.

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Djalla Quan believes the real reason for Onana’s expulsion from the World Cup was down to current Cameroon Football Federation president, Samuel Eto’o.

In a press conference over the weekend, Djalla Quan said: “Eto’o has an unprofessional problem with Andre Onana. Onana and Rigobert Song have no problem.

“The stars of the national team are being suffocated by someone who was a star himself when he was a footballer and wants to remain as a star. 

“In every meeting, he is there, in every training session he is there. Even the coach feels suffocated by Eto’o’s omnipresence.” 

Sources close to the player have said it is impossible for Onana to play for Cameroon while Eto’o oversees the footballing operation, with the relationship between the two broken.

Onana made 34 appearances for Cameroon over a six-year period, with his debut coming in a 2-1 friendly win over Gabon in September 2016.

Onana will hopefully feel more at home at Old Trafford, having previously worked with manager Erik ten Hag while at Ajax, as well as playing in the same team as Lisandro Martinez and Antony.