André Onana: The Indomitable Lion

Over the years, several African nations have become specialists at producing players of a certain position or role. Nigeria has become famed for its lethal, potent forwards such as Rashidi Yekhini and Victor Osimhen, Mali for its long-legged, restless midfield workhorses like Seydou Keïta and Diadie Samassékou, whilst Cameroon has developed a penchant for its superb goalkeepers such as Thomas N’Kono, Joseph-Antoine Bell, and Jacques Song’o. There’s a new #1 who’s starring in between the sticks for the Indomitable Lions: André Onana.

Born in Nkol Ngok, Onana began his footballing career in the Samuel Eto’o Academy, a nonprofit organization that was established in 2006 to provide a free footballing education to Cameroonian youths. After impressing in a summer tournament in the Canary Islands at the age of 14, a European giant came knocking for his services.

Alongside the likes of Jean-Marie Dongou and Wilfried Kaptoum, Onana was one of many prospects who made the move from the Samuel Eto’o Academy to Barcelona’s hallowed academy. After joining La Masia in 2010, Onana advanced through the youth ranks, but his time at the club was cut short in 2014.

The Blaugrana side were hit with a transfer ban after a FIFA investigation deemed them to have violated international regulations for signing youth players. Several La Masia players such as Takefusa Kubo, Antonio Sanabria and Onana were prevented from playing for Barcelona’s first team until they were 18.