Goalkeeper Andre Onana, aged 27, is poised to return to Cameroon's starting lineup for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations group game against defending champions Senegal on Friday.

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Onana missed Cameroon's first match of the tournament in the Ivory Coast on Monday as he was permitted to stay at Manchester United and participate in their 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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After the match at Old Trafford, he flew to the Ivory Coast by charter plane overnight but arrived just hours before kick-off against Guinea, resulting in a 1-1 draw for Cameroon.

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The decision to allow him to miss the opening match sparked controversy among Cameroon supporters.

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In a post-arrival interview in the Ivory Coast, Onana spoke about the challenging balance of loyalty between club and country, particularly for African internationals compelled to leave their European clubs mid-season to compete in the Cup of Nations.

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“It's like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first; that's why I'm here,” he said

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“Let people continue to criticise me. I'm used to it. I do what is good for my country,” Onana added.

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Onana has a chequered history with Cameroon after breaking through into the team while still a teenager at Ajax Amsterdam.

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He did, however, participate in the most recent Cup of Nations two years ago, just months after returning from a protracted doping ban.

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He declined a call-up to the 2017 Cup of Nations finals, which Cameroon went on to win, and was sent home after one match at the last World Cup in Qatar due to a disagreement with coach Rigobert Song, which has since been resolved.

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