Many felt that Onana should have rushed to the Ivory Coast to participate in AFCON, but he chose to play in United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on January 14 instead. As a result, he was harshly criticized for delaying his arrival.

In Cameroon’s Group C opening against Guinea, head coach Rigobert Song had previously decided not to start United goalkeeper Onana. However, Song was unprepared for Onana to arrive just hours before kickoff due to bad weather that diverted his aircraft.

Cameroon lost their second group match 3-1 to the defending AFCON champions Senegal, and Onana was recalled to the squad but played poorly.

Fabrice Ondoa, Onana’s cousin, started in place of him for Cameroon’s last group match against Gambia on Tuesday. Onana did not start at all.

In a nail-biting encounter, Cameroon prevailed 3-2 to go to Saturday night’s last-16 showdown against Nigeria.The president of Cameroon’s football federation, Eto’o, and Onana allegedly got into a “verbal altercation” after the game following Onana’s dismissal from the starting lineup.

As reported by the Daily Star, Onana briefly contemplated leaving Cameroon’s squad because to his personal issues with Eto’o.

According to the source, Onana is hoping to be substituted in for Cameroon’s match against Nigeria.

A source close to the Cameroon squad informed Sports News Africa that after a discussion with team members, Song decided to switch goalkeepers and reestablish Ondoa as the starting number one, all because of Onana’s argument with Eto’o.

His disappointment at not being selected was only revealed to him this morning. He and Eto’o got into an argument, but Eto’o ignored him.

“Onana lost his temper alone, but he eventually calmed down and stayed with the group to face his destiny.”