Andre Onana not linking up with Bryan Mbeumo in Cameroon’s AFCON squad | OneFootball

In just a few days, AFCON (CAN Total Energies) will get underway, with this year’s edition scheduled to begin on 21 December in Morocco.

Unfortunately, top clubs across Europe will be forced to part with some of their key players, as they head off to help their nations chase the Africa’s most prized trophy in the month‑long competition.

United’s expected absentees

For Manchester United, the competition is expected to bring notable absences, with Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) all set to feature for their national sides.

Meanwhile, United loanee Andre Onana, currently at Trabzonspor, had also been tipped to link up with Mbeumo in the Indomitable Lions’ pursuit of African glory.

Onana axed from AFCON squad

However, Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has brutally axed Onana from his AFCON squad.

The 29‑year‑old was left out of Brys’ 28‑man selection, a decision that stunned many who expected to see the United keeper included.

Onana has made 53 appearances for Cameroon and, only recently, played the full 90 minutes as his side lost to DR Congo in a FIFA World Cup qualifying semi‑final, a defeat that extinguished their 2026 World Cup hopes.

Perhaps that game sealed his fate, though, if so, it is baffling given Onana’s apparent resurgence.

Finding his feet in Turkey

Indeed, with three clean sheets in 10 appearances for Trabzonspor, a 75% save rate and a 7.1 Flashscore rating, Onana is clearly rediscovering his mojo in the Turkish Super Lig.

Nevertheless, his shaky spell at United, marked by inconsistent goalkeeping, may have long laid the seeds of doubt in Cameroon’s technical bench about trusting him between the sticks.

A tough year for Onana

It has been a brutal year for Onana: first dropped and replaced at United at the start of the season, and now omitted from AFCON. You cannot help but feel for him.

Whether Brys’s decision to leave him out ultimately pays off remains to be seen.

Either way, attention now turns to Mbeumo, who will be expected to step up.

United will also hope Amad and Mazraoui deliver for their respective national teams as the premier African competition unfolds.

Featured image Ahmad Moura via Getty Images

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