Cameroon and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has returned to first-team training on Thursday with his club even though it seems like he was never going to play again.
Ajax says the move comes after veteran keeper Maarten Stekelenburg was ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury. The contract of the 25-year-old broke down in September and talks with the club seems he is set to leave the club.
Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars speaking on Andre Onana’s return said: “Ajax’s needs are paramount,” he said this on the club’s website when explaining the apparent change of heart of the keeper.
Onana has missed almost the whole of 2021 after being banned for a doping violation by Uefa but is free to play again from the 4th of November. The Dutch club supported him in appealing to Uefa to reduce the ban which came out in handy, the bam which was supposed to be one year was reduced to nine-month.
But he was then placed in the junior squad after his ban on training was lifted on 4 September as relations with the Eredivisie club strained. The club is now willing to extend his contract following the injury of their current keeper Stekelenburg.
Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag said the Cameroonian had been training “with full dedication” and that the keeper would provide depth to the first-team squad in the absence of Stekelenburg. However, the chances of Andre Onana starting a game for the Dutch club shortly seem slim, with their second choice keeper Remko Pasveer in fine form.
It is however great news for Cameroon fans as they are now relieved to see Onana a step closer to possible first-team action as they prepare to host the Nations Cup come January.