Andre Onana’s career has been a “wild ride.” From the beginnings in his native Cameroon at Samuel Eto’o’s Academy, through Barcelona’s La Masia and, afterwards, Ajax and Inter Milan, to the Theatre of Dreams and Man United. Still, one cannot help but think that the ride felt much more pleasant while taking place in his homeland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy. Not because England and Manchester are unattractive places to live, let alone play, although some would have a few words to say when it comes to residing in that city of football, wool, and rain (just ask Ronaldinho why he chose Barca over Alex Ferguson’s machinery). No, it was something else, not related to football per se, but at the same time, football at its core.##NAJAVA_MECA_8328473##Namely, Onana’s first senior football spell at Ajax was dreamy. In six seasons in Amsterdam, he won three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups and reached the UEFA Europa League final and the Champions League semi-final. He was even pronounced the Indomitable Lion of the Year (Cameroonian Footballer of the Year) in 2018. Everything continued at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, where he made a step up and participated in the UCL final against Pep Guardiola’s Man City.Then, the invitation from Old Trafford came, and when United calls, you do not say no. And then that something else started “crushing” Onana, just like it did to almost everyone (including the club itself) in “Post-Fergie era” – the immense pressure, arguably the biggest in the world of football.Scholes admits being worried ‘to death‘ about OnanaHence, from being a prospect and one of the best keepers in the world, Onana became an object of ridicule, while people eagerly awaited his mistakes week after week. And no, it’s not all about fans and those “laughing vultures.” The keeper truly couldn’t cope with that infamous United’s burden and indeed started making some odd errors.Love this!! 🇺🇬 🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/q5cN6lKhO2— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 10, 2024 But the topic is not the past, it’s the present and the future. Namely, Cameroon yesterday faced Zimbabwe in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda, and the game was completely overshadowed by thousands of fans who came to Namboole Stadium with only one thing in mind – supporting Andre Onana, who eventually kept a clean sheet – as if he could have conceded a goal with thousands of “helpers” watching his back.Too much love for Andre Onana here at Namboole ahead of Cameroon’s #AFCON2025Q against Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/VZWdRjwJ3U— Omutegeke | 🇺🇬🎙️ (@CliveKyazze) September 10, 2024 The fans warmly welcomed and greeted the custodian before the match, already indicating what would happen. During the clash, the support did not stop for a second, while a bunch of fans in Man United’s jerseys created a terrific atmosphere. Everything culminated after the duel, when Onana had to leave the stadium separately from his teammates because of the enthusiastic crowd waiting for the Cameroonian.Andre Onana was whisked away from Namboole he didn’t travel with the team bus. Security had to disperse the excited crowd to allow his premio to leave Namboole straight to the airport Cameroon and Zimbabwe played to a barren draw in their #AFCON2025Q on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/RMdhKDeCOA— Omutegeke | 🇺🇬🎙️ (@CliveKyazze) September 10, 2024 The 28-year-old certainly did not see it coming. He seemed confused, to say the least. After all, the previous season did not get him used to it. But he should preserve that yesterday’s feeling and the mindset exuding confidence that the fans had boosted. This game could represent a turning point, bringing back the old days when Onana was an insurmountable obstacle for every forward.Manchester united goal keeper André Onana gave away his gloves to the crowd after the Cameroon match against Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/A9bfYZqUGX— Exclusive.Bizz (@Exclusive_Bizz) September 10, 2024 Thanks Andre Onana for the glove❤️🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/8ZOfNp2dT9— TOPIDO🇺🇬🔴 (@topido22) September 10, 2024 During the past year, Onana must have asked himself countless times why he even played football when he could hear only rare words of appreciation while the criticisms were a common and regular occurrence in his life. But next time that happens and those “bad days” return – and they indeed will, they always do as if we couldn’t live without them – and Onana asks himself again the very same question about the purpose, wondering if it’s all worth it, he should remember one September evening in Kampala and utter This is why you play, Andre.
