Man United GoalKeeper Andre Onana Recalled by Cameroon Coach Rigobert Song For AFCON Qualifiers Duty.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been called up by Cameroon for internationals in September as they hope to qualify for the next year's tournament finals to be hosted by Ivory Coast in January and February. 

The announcement comes nine months following his suspension from the national team which was imposed for "disciplinary reasons", thought to stem from a falling-out with Cameroon coach Rigobert Song.

Onana immediately left the teams camp in Qatar before the group stages of the 2022 World Cup had concluded.

Across the 12 months leading up to the World Cup in Qatar, Onana had started every competitive Cameroon fixture. The shot-stopper maintained this record for the 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in Cameroon's first group game but was dropped ahead of the meeting with Serbia by Song.

The shot-stopper later announced his retirement from international football - and his "love for the national team".

"Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any player or person," Onana wrote at the time. 

He has since focused on club football with Inter Milan before his £47million move to Manchester United in July, taking over as first choice at Old Trafford from David De Gea, who left after 12 years at the club.

Former Liverpool and West Ham defender Song took over as Cameroon coach in March 2022 but saw his side eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup having only taken a point from their first two games before beating already qualified Brazil in their final match.

With a straight face, Song recalled Onana at the end of August for their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Speaking in a news conference after revealing Onana's recall, Song said: "There were never any problems. I said at the last news conference that it was all up to him and he knew what he had to do.

"If he is on the list, it is because he did the right thing. He is one of the best goalkeepers. The door was always open, it is better to have all these players there than not to have them.

"There were never any problems with Andre and, as I said, he was the only one who knew what he had to do and we are satisfied that he joins the group and we really count on everyone."

There has been no immediate direct response from Onana.

Instead, on his Instagram stories channel, the goalkeeper posted a message on Tuesday with the African proverb: "The lie bears flowers but not fruit."

In what is set to be a U-turn, the former Ajax player could line up against Burundi in a winner-takes-all Group C qualifier on September 12.

Namibia currently top Group C by one point but have completed their matches after the pool was reduced to three teams following Kenya's expulsion, with two to advance.

Cameroon hold second spot on goal difference from Burundi who they host in the decider.

The continental tournament begins with the first group game for the host nation, the Ivory Coast, on 13 January 2024. The 24-team competition will be wrapped up with a final in the country's national stadium on 11 February 2024.

The tournament was moved back to early 2024 from this summer due to weather concerns with Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe admitting the timing is "not the ideal time because of the European clubs, but it is the only choice we have".

What this means for United and Onana:

Having yet to get clarification from Onana's representative regarding his availability to Cameroon.

If Onana and Cameroon qualify for the tournament, and spend all four weeks on the southern coast of West Africa, the 27-year-old could miss as many as seven matches for the Red Devil's during this period.

However, Onana has a job to do over the weekend for Erik ten Hag's side against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium before he heads out for international duty.