Andre Onana reportedly needed to be calmed down by former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf after the Man United goalkeeper won a race against time to make Cameroon’s African Cup of Nations opener, only to be left out of the squad.
Onana had undertaken a 5,000-mile journey in a bid to join up with Cameroon’s squad for the match.
The goalkeeper had played in Man United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, before immediately leaving for Liverpool John Lennon Airport to catch a late evening flight to Ivory Coast.
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.
Andre Onana, right, was seen engaged in a discussion with ex-Senegal star El Hadji Diouf
Onana jetted out to AFCON after Man United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham but did not make Cameroon’s squad
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.
Footage captured of Onana pre-match showed the goalkeeper engaged in a discussion with Diouf.
Reports have claimed Diouf had been forced to intervene to calm Onana down after being left out of the squad entirely.
The goalkeeper was claimed to have questioned why he had made the journey on a private jet if he was not to be included.
Onana has had a fraught relationship with Cameroon boss Rigobert Song and football federation president Samuel Eto’o.
The former Ajax goalkeeper was sent home from their World Cup camp in Qatar 14 months ago after an alleged row with Song over his goalkeeping style.
Onana announced his international retirement following his expulsion, before reversing the decision last year, enabling him to play at AFCON.
Song played down the significance of Onana being left out of the squad for the match.
Cameroon’s head coach Rigobert Song played down the significance of Onana’s absence
The five-time winners fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Guinea in their opening match
