Ondoa not first pick but Cameroon hero
CAMEROON’S presence in the Africa Cup of Nations last four against all the odds owes much to the exceptional performances of their goalkeeper, Fabrice Ondoa.
Following snubs from several experienced players, the Indomitable Lions travelled to Gabon with what looked to be their weakest squad ever at the event.
And yet the 21-year-old Ondoa has helped them progress at the expense of the hosts, the fancied Senegal and on to a semifinal against Ghana tonight.
“Since the start of the competition he has saved us in many matches,” teammate Arnaud Djoum said of the star who has been handed the gloves by coach Hugo Broos. “He’s been in his element.”
It was a superb reaction save by Ondoa to deny Didier Ndong in injury time that allowed Cameroon to draw 0-0 with Gabon and go through to the last eight.
Ondoa’s performances in the group stage secured his first-choice spot in the team, but better was to come.
He thwarted Senegal time and again throughout a goalless 120 minutes before stopping the usually sharp Sadio Mane’s crucial penalty in the shootout to set Cameroon up for a famous win.
Of his save of the Liverpool star’s penalty Ondoa said: “Players like Mane have a rare talent. You cannot show that you know which way they’re going to shoot.
“I had to wait until the last moment to dive and try to stop the ball. You need quality in football, but courage, determination and faith can take you a long way.”
Ondoa is, effectively, a reserve player for a reserve team. On loan to Sevilla’s B team in the Spanish second division, Ondoa cannot get a game.
But with Carlos Kameni out of the reckoning and Guy-Roland Ndy Assembe and Andre Onana rejecting call-ups, the path was cleared for him at international level.
Djoum said: “A lot of people were talking about the choice of goalkeeper. But he has proven he deserves his place.”
The semifinal between Burkina Faso and Egypt in Libreville went to penalties last night after finishing 1-1 at the end of extra time.
In the end, Egypt won 4-3 on penalties.