By our reporter 10.9.2025
Andre Onana has fumbled between the sticks once again as Cameroon lost their chance to top the group D of the World Cup qualifiers as they fell 1-0 to Cape Verde Tuesday night.
Cameroon featuring Bryan Mbuemo and Carlos Baleba needed to beat Cape Verde at home and take command of the group, but it was the Island nation that took the innitiative and now they only need to avoid defeats in their last two games; they top the group with 19 points against Cameroon’s 15.
But all fingers point to Onana’s indecision for Cameroon’s loss. In the 53rd minute Cape Verde striker Rocha Livramento stole the ball from Baleba in the midfield and raced down into the Cameroon box, coming one on one with Onana who rather than close Livermento down, dived to his right allowing the Cape Verde striker the freedom to slot the ball effortlessly to the left.
Onana did make some fantastic saves, like when had come face to face with Livermento, the much-maligned keeper dived low to deny Cape Verde their opening goal in the first half and in added time Onana also saved a close range shot to keep the scores low.
Fans on X social media platform were quick have their say on Onana’s blunder.
@jboy2442: “Onana is truly the worst goalkeeper alive. The goal he just conceded for Cameroon is so bad. He doesn’t come off his line and close the angle; he stays in goal until the striker is 2 feet away.”
@NaijaBallBoy: “To me, this speaks of a serious decline in self-confidence. That dive was utterly reactive and had no intent in it beyond ‘just getting down’. It would’ve been smarter to come off his line to close the striker down as much as he could once the last man was beaten.”
@cfc_danielss: “Sometimes I don’t know what’s happening to Onana, just come out of your line to narrow the post a bit. This is basic goalkeeping techniques na ha.”
@Ed_theRed0: “Even a semi-pro keeper will charge at the striker in this situation, this guy just stood there like it was a penalty.”