Andre Onana left out of Cameroon squad for AFCON opener after nightmare journey to Ivory Coast following Man United's draw with Tottenham... with fog forcing private jet to land 150 miles away from stadium
- Andre Onana is in a race against time to make it to Cameroon's AFCON opener
- He delayed flying out to play in Manchester United's clash with Tottenham
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don't wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must fire Erik ten Hag now - It's All Kicking Off
Andre Onana's exit from Manchester United to the Africa Cup of Nations has taken another twist after the Cameroon goalkeeper’s private jet was diverted due to fog and he missed the opening group game against Guinea.
Onana played in United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday and then immediately left for Liverpool John Lennon Airport to catch a late evening flight to Ivory Coast.
However, the foggy conditions meant he was unable to land in Yamoussoukro – where Cameroon were kicking off their Group C campaign on Monday – and had to divert to Abidjan.
The 27-year-old was then driven the final 150 miles of his 5,000-mile journey to the Stade Charles Konan Banny, arriving three hours before the 5pm kick-off.
Onana already knew that Fabrice Ondoa would be starting in goal against Guinea, but Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu were named as the two substitute goalkeepers on the Cameroon bench for the 1-1 draw.
![Andre Onana smiled as he caught a flight out to AFCON after Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/15/08/80020497-0-image-a-6_1705307315442.jpg)
Andre Onana smiled as he caught a flight out to AFCON after Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham
![United finished their match against Spurs at around 6.30pm on Sunday and Cameroon wil play against Guinea at 5pm on Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/15/08/80020577-12964059-image-a-12_1705308149632.jpg)
United finished their match against Spurs at around 6.30pm on Sunday and Cameroon wil play against Guinea at 5pm on Monday
Onana’s involvement in AFCON has been shrouded in mystery for weeks while United appealed to Cameroon to let him stay well beyond the January 1 deadline so he could play against Wigan in the FA Cup and Spurs in the Premier League.
Cameroon agreed because the player had officially retired from international football when United signed him from Inter Milan for £47.2million in the summer and then reversed his decision.
Onana could miss up to four games for United if Rigobert Song’s side go all the way to the final on February 11 – or none if they go out at the group stage.
The former Ajax keeper has reported for duty despite concerns that his feud with Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto’o, that led to Onana’s expulsion from his country’s World Cup camp in Qatar 14 months ago, could re-ignite in Ivory Coast.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)