•Nigeria fans want United star in goal
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has denied rumours of any new rift with goalkeeper Andre Onana who was dropped for their last group stage match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Onana is also at risk of being benched again on Saturday (today) for the last-16 tie against Nigeria.
Onana was allowed to miss Cameroon’s first match to play for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14 but played in the Indomitable Lions’ second Group C game against Senegal, conceding three goals and being dropped for their last group match against Gambia on Tuesday.
“I have no problem with my goalkeepers. They are all competitive and ready to respond when they need to play. There is no controversy. They get along very well,” Song told a press conference on Friday, without saying whether Onana might be restored to the goal for the last-16 game on Saturday.
Song added that defence would be all-important against Nigeria, whose powerful attack is led by reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen saying, “We have already conceded six goals and tomorrow we will find the formula to not concede.
“We will try to put Nigeria in difficulty and fight to continue in the competition. I know what needs to be done so that we do everything possible tomorrow to obtain a positive result.”
Meanwhile Nigerian fans on social platform, X, have clamoured for the Manchester United shotstopper to start against the Eagles.
A Nigerian man with the username, @Mbahdeyforyou, wrote, “Cameroon must play Onana against Nigeria if not we won’t accept.”
Social media influencer @_VALKlNG said he had placed a bet on Onana conceding goals, writing, “Osimhen vs Onana, I sold my car for this game on SPARK; Onana will concede plenty, I am very sure.”
