On a night where Cameroon asserted their dominance with a 3-0 win over Eswatini, Andre Onana quietly carved another piece of history for himself and the Indomitable Lions. The goalkeeper stepped onto the pitch for his 49th international appearance and walked off with his 22nd clean sheet.
For Onana, this was no ordinary performance. It marked his 10th FIFA World Cup qualifier between the posts, a journey that now reads five clean sheets and only five goals conceded. Such numbers underline his crucial role in Cameroon’s campaign, providing stability and authority at the back whenever the stakes are highest.
Beyond the statistics, this clean sheet carried added weight. Just days earlier, Onana had endured a nightmare at Blundell Park in club football, a moment that might have shaken his confidence. Yet, in Yaoundé, he stood tall for 90 minutes, commanding his box, marshaling his defense, and reminding fans why he remains one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers.
Cameroon, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in the qualifiers with four wins and three draws in seven matches. However, they still sit second in the group behind Cape Verde, who have secured one more victory. With only the top team earning an automatic place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the margins are razor-thin.
That makes next Tuesday’s showdown in Praia against Cape Verde a defining battle, one that will demand Onana’s sharpest reflexes, his calm presence, and perhaps another clean sheet to keep Cameroon’s dream alive.
Andre Onana has been tested, doubted, and criticized, but with every save in the colors of the Lions, he continues to prove his worth. For Cameroon, his gloves may yet be the key to punching their ticket to North America in 2026.
French 
English