André Onana (photo) is on the list of the 24 Indomitable Lions selected to play the match against Burundi next September 12. This selection comes months after controversies claiming his decision to end his international career was due to a problem he had with the team’s coach, Rigobert Song.

Speaking to the press on August 29 at the Cameroonian Football Federation’s (FECAFOOT) technical center in Yaoundé, Rigobert Song explained that there had never been a problem between him and the Manchester United Premier League goalkeeper. He has repeated this for months now. 

"At the last press conference here, I said that it was up to him to do the needful. He [André Onana] knew what he had to do. I think today that if he's on the list, it's because he did what he had to do," the coach said, without ever saying what was expected of the Manchester United goalkeeper.

André Onana decided to end his international career on December 23, 2021. In the letter announcing his departure, the goalkeeper avoided controversial topics, simply stating: "I will now continue, as the 27 million Cameroonians do at every match, to watch and support our team from abroad."

Yet, it is hard to believe that all is well between André Onana and Rigobert Song. The national football federation admitted that a tactical mix-up was behind the goalkeeper's dismissal at the last World Cup in Qatar. As a result, he did not play in the Indomitable Lions' final match against Brazil. In a video leaked on social networks, Rigobert Song himself acknowledges this tactical mix-up.

The government's position has always been that André Onana should join the national team again. FECAFOOT passed the hot potato to the coach, indicating that he alone was responsible for the team selection. With the goalkeeper now back on the selectees list, it remains to be seen whether André Onana will answer the call, ending the controversies.

Michel Ange Nga