Manchester United new boy Andre Onana is latest in long line of classy Cameroonian keepers

West Central African country maintains strong tradition for producing top-level shot-stoppers

Andre Onana is set to join Manchester United from Inter Milan. EPA

Francois Onana used to tell his young son, Andre, about "The Cat". It wasn’t so easy then to locate extensive footage of the legendary Cameroonian goalkeeper, Tommy "Cat" N’Kono, icon of the West Central African country’s finest showing at a World Cup, but the stories were many and vivid.

Some reckon N’Kono to be the most gifted keeper Cameroon ever produced, but, even in his prime, there would be arguments about that.

His near-contemporary, Joseph-Antoine "Jojo" Bell has ardent fans. For well over a decade, their joust over who should wear the No 1 jersey for the so-called Indomitable Lions was fierce, and felt sharply by the two rivals, men of different personalities and skill-sets.

More than a generation on, Cameroonian goalkeeping retains its special aura, its high status in world football. And it is still a theatre for argument. Andre Onana, the latest in a long line of admired Lions With Gloves and the new €55 million signing at Manchester United, would bear witness to that.

Two months ago, Onana was helping Inter Milan to the European Champions League final. Eight months back, he was losing his position in the national side during a World Cup, following tactical disagreements with his coach, Rigobert Song, and other management staff.

Cameroonians of Onana’s parents’ – or grandparents’ – generation watched that row unfold with a sense of déjà-vu. Back in 1990, when Cameroon’s goalkeeping expertise was at peak strength, a dispute on the eve of the tournament led to Bell, the first pick, being controversially dropped; N’Kono, assigned at that time a role as back-up, was selected.

The rest is history, N’Kono became part of the feted team that beat Argentina in the opening match of Italia ‘90 and missed out on the semi-finals only in extra time of a see-saw 3-2 loss to England. At that stage, no African team had ever gone so far at a World Cup.

No African nation had ever boasted such a worldly stable of keepers. In that era, when far fewer African professionals played in European leagues than now, goalkeepers from sub-Saharan Africa flourishing abroad were even more of a rarity.

Andre Onana won 34 caps for Cameroon but was sent home from the 2022 Qatar World cup after a disagreement over tactics with coach Rigobert Song. Reuters

Except, that is, for Cameroonians. Bell played more than 350 matches for various French top-division clubs through the 1980s and 1990s, and wore the captain’s armband for Olympique Marseille.

N’Kono, who had made a fine impression at the 1982 World Cup, staged in Spain, signed for Espanyol, where he has been based first as a player and then as coach for much of his life. He reached a Uefa Cup final – the Europa League equivalent – with the Barcelona-based club in 1988, and later became Espanyol’s long-serving goalkeeping coach.

There were others. Jacques Songo’o – just under a decade younger than N’Kono, now 67, and Bell, 68 – won the Spanish league at the turn of the millennium in goal for Deportivo La Coruna.

Carlos Kameni, now in his 40th year, was still playing professionally in Europe last season at the tail-end of a career that featured a Spanish Cup triumph with Espanyol, 73 caps for his country, and his own share of disputes with Cameroon’s management.

Onana, 27, grew up with this tradition, these role models. “Because Cameroon had the best goalkeepers in Africa, young players wanted to be keepers,” observes Bell, “and their parents encouraged them.”

Man United 2022/23 player ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPERS: David de Gea 6.5: Started all 38 league games and kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, made numerous key saves, yet his mistakes are highlighted more. His presence in the team now divides fans, as does whether he should sign a new contract or be moved on. AP

Tom Heaton 7: Second-choice goalkeeper for much of the season, which frustrated him as he felt he deserved to play more. Always professional and valued in the dressing room, the 37-year-old played well in two League Cup games, keeping a clean sheet and helping United towards Wembley. Getty

DEFENDERS: Aaron Wan Bissaka 7: Barely figured before the festive period when his United future looked bleak, especially after a horror opening 15 minutes in a Cadiz friendly. Much better as the season went on and became first-choice full-back again. Excellent defensively, can still be suspect with his final ball going forward. EPA

Diogo Dalot 7: First-choice right-back in the first half of the season as he started the first 15 league games, the 24-year-old was suspended then injured in November and came back a lesser player in February. Signed a new contract last week, which he deserves, but the right-back position remains an issue for Ten Hag. AP

Victor Lindelof 6.5: Injured at the start of season then unable to break into the side but then played in 90 minutes in all of the last nine games – and performed well. Needed when Martinez was injured and selected over Maguire by a manager who rates him. Getty

Harry Maguire 6: His worst season at United and probably in his pro career. Lost his place after the Brentford debacle and played second fiddle to others but didn’t actually play badly when in the team. Always spoke in a dignified manner, but footballers like to play football and he’s not getting enough at United. Getty

Lisandro Martinez 8.5: Superb first season in England for the Argentine World Cup winner. Hammered for his height after a walloping at Brentford, he proved just about every doubter wrong with his fearless performances. The 25-year-old fractured a metatarsal against Sevilla. How costly that would prove. Became a cult hero among fans. Getty

Raphael Varane 8: World-class defender who, like Casemiro, won it all at Real Madrid and lives up to his status most weeks. Only worry is how many games he can play – 22/38 league games is hardly the rock to build a team on. Tactically and technically peerless, he’s also calm, fast, aggressive and comfortable against the best sides. Remains a key player for United. PA

Luke Shaw 7.5: Raises his game when his position is under threat. He was deservedly dropped after the two opening defeats and had to work his way back into the side ahead of new signing Malacia. Became a key United player. Powerful and attack-minded, he also performed well as a central defender, but left-back is where he excels. PA

Tyrell Malacia 6.5: New signing from Feyenoord who didn’t wait long to show what he could do. His lack of experience became apparent over games though and he lost his place to Shaw. A creditable first season and it is a positive that he’s there to push first-choice left-back Shaw. Getty

MIDFIELDERS: Fred 7: Only 12 league starts for the Brazilian as Casemiro and Eriksen took his place. Became a key player coming off the bench, bringing energy and a surprisingly high six goals. Disappointing season for him, yet contained some of his greatest moments as a United player – a goal against Barcelona and another belter in a magnificent October match against Spurs. AFP

Casemiro 8.5: One of the best midfielders in the world and how he showed it. A key player throughout the season, the cement between the bricks in the eyes of his boss. Brings balance, closes spaces, breaks up play, assists, scores and better than anyone in the air. His seven goals were a bonus. Will hopefully learn from the two silly red cards that cost him and his team in the spring. AFP

Christian Eriksen 7.5: Impressive season for the creative Dane. It was interrupted after he picked up a serious injury in January, but thankfully returned from by April. A creator capable of passing between the lines, the 31-year-old only scored twice, but showed his value with 10 assists. Getty

Scott McTominay 6.5: Started season well, but lost his place in the side to Casemiro, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Aged 26, United could get a significant fee for him and that could happen this summer. A good Premier League standard footballer who could perform at a top-half side every week. A world-class midfielder for Man United? That would bring a different answer. Getty

Bruno Fernandes 8: Started in an incredible 58 games and remained mostly injury-free. Moany and motivated, he scored an impressive 14 times (and picked up 12 yellow cards). A versatile leader who takes responsibility, he was comfortable with the penalty in the FA Cup final and likely to be United’s captain next season. PA

Marcel Sabitzer 6.5: A January loan from Bayern Munich to cover for the injured Eriksen, Sabitzer’s two first-half goals against Sevilla were his highlight, but, like his time at the club, they didn’t have a happy ending. Missed the final games of the season to injury, but professional throughout. Leaves with best wishes. Reuters

ATTACKERS: Jadon Sancho 6: Started well but then had an awful game in Europa League in Cyprus where he looked shot of confidence. Left out of the side, sent to the Netherlands to get him back into a place where he could play for Manchester United again and that happened. Is it unrealistic to expect much more than six league goals and three assists from a player who promised so much and cost so much? No. Getty

Antony 7: Arrived with a huge fee from Ajax. Started 39 games and scored eight goals. Needs to score more, assist more, be less predictable and be a greater danger closer to goal. PA

Cristiano Ronaldo 5: Didn’t want to be at the club but sent mixed messages to Ten Hag who asked him straight. A negative influence in the dressing room and the mood (and results) improved when he departed. Featured in 16 games and scored three. One of the greatest players ever, just not this season. PA

Marcus Rashford 9: The 30-goal tally says it all. Where would United have been without those goals from a team over-reliant on a player who plays out left. Despondent last season, a full pre-season and a manager right behind him helped him perform all season. Needs a goalscorer alongside him and he could be even better. Player of the season. Getty

Antony Martial 6: Eleven league starts isn’t enough. Nor is it surprising for a player whose career is badly afflicted by injury. The maddening thing is that when he plays United look a better side with him linking plays and his nine goals from only 17 starts across all competitons is no bad statistic. Getty

Alejandro Garnacho 8: Breakthrough star who gets fans off their seats. Scored five goals, most notably the winner at Fulham in the final game before the World Cup finals. He’s not short of confidence and still has much to learn but he’s only 18 and has plenty of time to do that. Getty

Facundo Pellistri 6: Started only one game and came on in nine others – where he usually made an impact by running at opponents and crossing. The Uruguayan international, 21, is a bright prospect. PA

Wout Weghorst 6: He huffed and he puffed and he brought the ball down, the January loan signing was a goalscorer who doesn’t score, but he was affordable, gettable and fitted into Erik ten Hag’s system when he needed a striker after the departure of Ronaldo. Far from the standard of a top United striker, but he was available when others weren’t. EPA

MANAGER: Erik ten Hag 8: Impressive first season for the Dutch manager with a trophy and a third-place finish. Going out limply to Sevilla stung, but he handled the big decisions well, especially concerning Ronaldo. A disciplinarian with a human touch, he’s no-nonsense and comfortable with the demands of being in charge of a huge club. Needs to be backed so he can continue to improve United. PA

Case in point: “My father would tell me all about Tommy N’Kono, and how he had reflexes like a cat,” Onana recalled during his breakthrough season with Ajax, in 2016/17.

Even in the 1980s, N’Kono and Bell represented not just a single, powerful strand in one country’s rich football culture but distinct modern schools of goalkeeping.

“Tommy had his sober approach, Jojo his showmanship, a reflection of their characters,” recalled Claude Le Roy, who coached Cameroon in the 1980s and 1990s. Bell was more confident with his feet, more inclined to make ambitious passes outside his penalty box. N’Kono had his reflexes and a longer reach as a shot-stopper.

In Onana, there are both aspects. No keeper made more saves or kept more clean sheets in last season’s Champions League. Few showed greater inclination to also act as an extra central defender, stride well beyond the edge of his box and launch long, accurate passes. It’s his trademark, but also the tendency that Song thought risky at the World Cup.

There is little that is timid about Onana. He’s vocal, and happy to answer back to a senior teammate. He and Inter’s Edin Dzeko had a very public disagreement, on the pitch, during last season’s Champions League tie against Porto.

It is this forthright leader that Erik ten Hag, United’s manager and Onana’s manager at Ajax for three-and-a-half years, has pushed hard to recruit. Ten Hag will assume the risks in his proactive style – and back him to be the bossier, ball-playing upgrade on the departed David de Gea.