Andre Onana Biography: Childhood, career and achievements

To some, he is a polarizing figure due to his at times controversial attitudes. But despite his flaws, its safe to say that Andre Onana has helped to set a good benchmark for African goalkeepers to excel in Europe. Along with the likes of former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, the Cameroon international has proven that African shot-stoppers can shine in Europe’s top-five leagues. Africa has regularly produced some of the world’s best footballers in almost every position, though there has been a notable shortage of African keepers in the top European leagues until recently. 

Childhood

Born in Nkol Ngok Cameroon, Onana was scouted by Barcelona by the Samuel Eto Academy at the age of 14 in 2010. His success is an example of how the power of representation can make a difference. Had Eto not succeeded in Europe and with Barcelona, there is a chance that his talent may have gone unnoticed by the world. Onana is adaptable as a person, a quality that has helped him to succeed throughout his career. He is fluent in Wolof, French, Dutch, German and English. 

Career

Though he joined Barcelona as a youth player, Onana never played for the first team of the Blaugrana. Because he joined the club when he was a minor and a non-EU citizen, he spent the 2012-13 season on loan with Cornellà and the following season with Vista Alegre. In early 2015, it was announced that Onana would be transferred to Jong Ajax, the developmental team of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. After making his debut for Jong Ajax in February 2015, he quickly adapted to life in the Netherlands and before long, he was the first-choice goalkeeper for Ajax Amsterdam. 

Onana spent six successful seasons on the books of Ajax, helping the club to win three Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups and they also finished as Europa League runners-up during the 2016-17 season. Once he felt that he had hit a ceiling at Ajax and established himself as an in-demand goalkeeper, he joined Inter Milan in 2022. He helped Inter to win the Supercoppa Italiana, Coppa Italia and also helped the club to reach the 2023 Champions League final. 

In July 2023, with Manchester United needing a new goalkeeper after the departure of long-serving David de Gea, he found himself joining the Red Devils and reuniting with former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag who managed United at the time. Despite becoming United’s first-ever African goalkeeper, Onana’s time with the club has been mixed.

He has made crucial saves for it at times, but at others has been criticized for his attitude and positioning. Some defenders of Onana will also argue that achieving consistency at the club is difficult for any player at a time when it has struggled to achieve consistency as a whole amidst significant behind-the-scenes changes. 

Achievements

• A pioneer in African goalkeeping, Onana has been named in the CAF team of the year three times, in 2019, 2023, and 2024 though his commitment to the Cameroon national team has been questioned at times. 
• He helped Cameroon achieve a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021 and was the Cameroonian footballer of the year in 2018 as well as the best African goalkeeper in that same year. 
• Even though his form for Manchester United has been patchy, Onana is a three-time holder of the Premier League Save of the Month, achieved in April 2024, September 2024, and November 2024. 
• Time will tell whether Onana goes on to achieve his early career potential. However, at 29 years old, he remains young and still has plenty of football left in him both on a club level and internationally. 
• Even if he does not achieve what he is truly capable of, he will be remembered as a player who set the path for African goalkeepers to be considered by big teams in Europe. Due to the form that Onana has shown, European giants will be more likely to keep an eye on African goalkeepers, something which they did not do in the past.