• African football
  • World Cup 2022

Andre Onana: Cameroon goalkeeper reveals inspiration from Manuel Neuer

Andre Onana
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Onana has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence since starting his senior career at Ajax.

Andre Onana has picked Manuel Neuer as the “greatest” goalkeeper while hailing fellow Inter teammate Samir Handanovic for his qualities.

Onana has become Inter’s No. 1 keeper ahead of Handanovic since joining the Nerazzurri on a summer transfer.

The Cameroon international is thankful for Handanovic’s tips. But he chooses Neuer as his biggest source of inspiration.

“Handanovic is a giant, I take off my hat to him,” he told SportWeek. 

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“He always helps and advises me. I’m a modern goalkeeper, I go out, I take a lot of risks and I play with my feet.

“As a child, I dreamed watching the miracles of [Gianluigi] Buffon and [Iker] Casillas, but the greatest is Neuer: he does crazy things, I am inspired by him.”

Onana made a couple of impressive saves against Switzerland in Cameroon’s opening World Cup match. But he wasn’t able to prevent his side’s frustrating defeat.

Speaking about the tournament, Onana added: “The defeat against Switzerland is already behind us. 

“[Samuel] Eto’o came to the locker room to encourage us.

“[Our] heads [are] held high for the next challenges with Serbia and Brazil at the World Cup. The goal is to qualify for the knockout rounds. For us, the dream remains alive, intact and achievable.”

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