Former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong has hit out at Andre Onana, saying the Manchester United goalkeeper has set a bad example with his 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, decision.
Onana, selected by Cameroon for AFCON, has decided to play Man United’s Premier League home clash against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14.
As a result, Onana is likely to miss his country’s opening AFCON clash against Guinea on January 15 in Ivory Coast.
However, Bassong feels Onana’s decision shows a lack of respect towards AFCON and his country.
“That sends such a bad message, not only for Cameroon, but for the respect people will have for the Africa Cup of Nations and for the way they should treat us, the equality,” Bassong told BBC (via The Mirror).
“If we don’t even respect ourselves how can you expect other people to treat you any different. I like Andre, I will always have his back when I have to, but when things like that happen.. the nation, the pride of the country and the continent is way an individual person.”