Qatar 2022: Onana Creates World Cup Record On Debut Despite Defeat With Cameroon

For their first match at the 2022 World Cup, Cameroon was beaten by Switzerland one-nil despite the goal being kept by one of Africa’s finest, Andre Onana.

Failing to keep a clean sheet, André Onana however managed to set a World Cup record.

The Barcelona Academy graduate touched the ball 61 times, doing it 26 times outside his area, a record in a World Cup according to Opta.

Onana embraced the sweeper keeper role and often left his area to add bodies for the Indomitable Lions, providing surplus – that created a numerical advantage.

Cameroon had conceded a goal and the Swiss had curled up in their half of the field.

Onana played the last defender starting up play from the back, but it didn’t pay dividends despite some delightful passes from the Inter goalie.

The Indomitable Lions suffered their 8th consecutive defeat in the World Cup against Switzerland. Their last victory dates back to 2002 against Saudi Arabia.

’26 – André Onana has hit 26 of his 61 balls outside the box, the highest for a goalkeeper in a World Cup match since,’ Opta Jean tweeted with the Onana’s heat map after the game.