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.
Footage of Onana pre-match showed the goalkeeper engaged in a discussion with Diouf, with reports claiming the latter was forced to intervene to calm the Cameroon star down after being left out of the squad entirely.
‘If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, then why did I come here on a private jet?,’ Onana reportedly shouted as tempers boiled over.
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.
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
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.
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
‘It’s logical, he arrived at 4 o’clock in the morning. How do you want him to play?’ Song said, adding ‘He’s part of the group.’
Five-time winners Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in their opening match of the tournament.
Mohamed Bayo gave Guinea a shock 10th minute lead before captain Francois Kamano was sent off for a stamp in first half stoppage time.
Frank Magri, the victim of the stamp, equalised in the second half for Cameroon by heading in Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s cross.