It was a night to remember for André Onana, but not because of any heroic saves or jaw-dropping performances.
No, this time, the Manchester United goalkeeper found himself in the heart of a Ugandan lovefest during Cameroon’s goalless Afcon 2025 qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. And boy, did the fans show up!
Forget about the match result for a second (Cameroon drew 0-0, but who’s counting?). The real story was how Onana was embraced by Ugandan Manchester United fans as if he was a returning hero from the Premier League trenches.
As soon as the Cameroon team bus rolled into the stadium, waves of red jerseys surrounded it like bees to honey. The fans, many of whom sported Man Utd colors, made it clear: Onana, this was your night.
Onana, clearly not one to shy away from the love, cracked open his bus window, soaking it all in and even instructing his teammates to capture the moment on video. “Record this,” he said, smiling like a man who had just won a trophy.
And who could blame him? In that moment, it was hard to tell if this was a Cameroon vs. Zimbabwe match or a sneaky Manchester United fan meet-up.
Placards, Pleas, and Premier League Woes
Inside the stadium, the love only grew louder. Fans weren’t just chanting Onana’s name, they were practically writing letters to Old Trafford.
One placard read, “Onana, thank you for visiting Uganda, but we, M. United fans, are not happy with the lineup of your boss T.H.” Ouch. Poor Erik Ten Hag – even in Uganda, his team selections can’t catch a break!
Another sign aimed at solving United’s striker woes read,
“Please Onana, ask Ten Hag to sign Omedi (14).” The cheeky reference was to Uganda’s rising star, Denis Omedi, who recently banged in a stunning long-range goal.
You’ve got to hand it to the fans – always thinking ahead.
A Humbling Reception for a Superstar
But it wasn’t just playful banter. Throughout the match, every move Onana made was met with cheers and vuvuzela blasts that could wake the dead.
The outpouring of affection visibly moved the Cameroonian shot-stopper. At one point, he placed his hand on his heart, raised his other arm, and bowed in appreciation. The man was humbled.
And after the final whistle, as military police tried to secure the pitch in true old-school fashion, Onana wasn’t ready to let go of the moment.
With his security detail on high alert, he took a victory lap around the stadium, showering fans with gifts. Shoes? Gone. Shin guards? Given away. Goalkeeping gloves? Consider them souvenirs.
By the end of it, Onana had to be whisked away in a Toyota Premio (no flashy exit here) after nearly being swarmed by ecstatic fans who, if they had their way, would have probably carried him home.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Cameroon team quietly left in their bus, almost as if they were the support act for Onana’s one-man show.
And Oh, By the Way, the Game Happened
In all the Onana excitement, it’s easy to forget that there was an actual Afcon qualifier going on. Cameroon and Zimbabwe played to a goalless draw, but honestly, did anyone really notice? With Uganda’s fans turning the night into a Manchester United fan fest, it felt more like a celebration than a competitive fixture.
Good Vibes for Pamoja Bid Countries
For Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – the Pamoja Bid countries set to host Afcon 2027 – the night was a good one. Uganda bounced back with a 2-0 win over Congo, thanks to goals from Aziz Kayondo and debutant Jude Ssemugabi. Kenya got in on the action too, beating Namibia 2-1, while Tanzania picked up a 2-1 victory over Guinea.
With performances like these and the kind of fan enthusiasm Onana witnessed firsthand, the 2027 Afcon might just be a festival of football and love.
Let’s just hope the Uganda-Man United fan connection keeps showing up – Erik Ten Hag might need some of that energy sent his way!
