André Onana left out as Cameroon reshape goalkeeper ranks

André Onana’s place in the Cameroon national team is under serious threat after coach David Pagou again omitted the Trabzonspor goalkeeper. The decision signals a sharp change in direction for the Indomitable Lions and raises the possibility that the 30-year-old’s international career may be nearing its end.

Onana was not selected for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and he is also absent from the squad named for Cameroon’s next fixtures. The team will face Comoros in Garoua on September 24, travel to play Congo, and meet Ivory Coast in a friendly on October 3. Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Blondy Noukeu and Merlin Lako were chosen instead.

The omission comes after Marc Brys had given Onana a prominent role. Pagou, who replaced the Belgian, is pursuing a younger group of players and has not included Onana despite his continued club football in Turkey. Onana has won 53 caps and remains regarded as Cameroon’s leading active goalkeeper.

His relationship with the federation president has also been described as strained. Onana previously stepped away from international football after the 2022 World Cup dispute in Qatar, before returning. The latest exclusion has renewed speculation that he could choose to end his Cameroon career permanently, although no retirement decision has been announced.