Andre Onana Recalled By Cameroon Nine Months After World Cup Row With Head Coach Rigobert Song

Andre Onana has been recalled by Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song nine months after the pair fell out during the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Onana, who joined Manchester United from Ajax this summer, played in Cameroon's opening group game at Qatar 2022 - a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.

But Song then suspended Onana after claiming that the player had asked not to be involved in Cameroon's next game amid reports of a row over tactics.

Onana flew home, missing a 3-3 draw with Serbia and a 1-0 win over Brazil.

In December, Onana announced his retirement from international soccer at the age of 26.

He said in a statement: "My story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end.''

The statement added: "Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player. Cameroon remains eternal and so does my love for the national team."

Andre Onana pictured playing for Cameroon at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Grzegorz Wajda

But Onana could now return for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Burundi on September 12.

A draw or a win would see Cameroon qualify for AFCON 2023, which will actually take place in 2024 across January and February.

Song spoke to the media about Onana's recall at a press conference on Tuesday.

"There were never any problems," said Song.

"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."

Onana replied by posting an African proverb on his Instagram Story.

"The lie bears flowers but not fruit," wrote Onana, now 27.

Onana has been capped 34 times by Cameroon at senior international level, having made his debut in 2016.