With Manchester United's Andre Onana said to have been involved in a heated spat with the president of Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Samuel Eto'o at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a member of the goalkeeper's camp has now broken his silence on the reported fallout.
The Cameroon national team was marred with controversy at the recent AFCON, having faced a number of issues in the dressing room, while there were also allegations of conflict between senior members of their delegation at the tournament.
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Onana initially grabbed headlines for arriving late at the competition, which resulted in him missing the Indomitable Lions' opening group game in the Ivory Coast.
He was then given a start in their second match but conceded three goals against Senegal in a 3-1 defeat.
Reports at the time suggested that things descended into chaos in the dressing room after that match, with Eto'o and Onana said to have got involved in an emotionally charged exchange of words.
Tension between the two men is said to date back to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, from which Onana was sent home during the tournament due to disciplinary reasons.
The 27-year-old's brother, Christian Onana, has now defended the shot-stopper, insisting that he has no qualms with anyone around the national team, including head of FECAFOOT, Eto'o.
"Onana has no problem with his teammates in the national team. Speaking of the relationship between Onana and Eto'o, it should be noted that Onana is not selfish," he told Vision 4.
"He's just the one who has the courage to say no when things aren't going well. Speaking of FECAFOOT, Onana has no problem with FECAFOOT, which is an institution.
"Onana had a problem with a person and this person is now using the Cameroon national team and FECAFOOT, which is an institution, to settle scores with Onana. That's what it's about...
"Note that Onana is very respectful. When I talk to him, he goes to bed. He's a 27-year-old kid that anyone can scold.
"The question that must be asked is: What could have caused a child who ate from your hands to turn away?
"Today, some people are fighting proxy wars because in the world of football if they feel that you are close to Onana, they cut your head off."
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