Thomas Nkono Tells Onana To Be Humble

Who does not remember Spain 1982? Nkono played for Canon Yaounde, a local club based in the center region of the country but made a huge impact. He was one of the sensations of the global show-piece which put Cameroon in the center stage.

Nkono also participated in the epic Italia 1990 that changed the face of Cameroonian Football, as he piloted the team to the quarter finals. The latter is therefore a man steeped in experience and there’s non other better placed to speak on controversies in Cameroon’s team, than the ‘black cat’.

In an exchange with AS Diaro, the former Espanyol Barcelona goalkeeper gave his take on Cameroon’s World Cup.

“I have confidence in Samuel Etoo. We have taken a step forward. In the next competitions, I think we will be at a good level. Many have played their first tournament here.”

Thomas Nkono also, however, does not understand the decision that was made to set aside one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

André Onana was removed from the selection after the first match against Switzerland. A leaked video had his coach, Rigobert Song, hinting at an insubordination against him from the Inter Milan goalkeeper. Tommy, who is an example of modesty, believes that humility is a virtue.

“He must be humble, he is more important than the others. Being humble in life allows you to reach your goal. Values are important. We don’t really know what happened.”

He also spelled out the qualities of the Cameroonian goalkeeper. good footwork is, according to him, one of the essential qualities to be a top goalkeeper.

“You have to work on it. I have trained goalkeepers in Spain and they insist on this very much. The Spaniards studied this very carefully”.

This can be very useful in an encounter which the keeper can be the starting point for a devastating counter-attack. André Onana has already done it many times, at Ajax Amsterdam and now at Inter Milan.