It's been a tough few years for Onana. After signing from Inter Milan in 2023, the 29-year-old made a catalogue of errors across two seasons with Manchester United and was eventually dropped as their starting goalkeeper by Ruben Amorim. Back-up stopper Altay Bayindir was initially handed the gloves, but summer signing Senne Lammens has since been deployed between the sticks and has started his career at Old Trafford in calm fashion.
Onana, who is now on loan at Trabzonspor in a squad that features household names such as Stefan Savic and Paul Onuachu, was not included in Pagou's final AFCON squad either. However, he could benefit if Brys remains in charge, having been named on the manager's alternative list. The goalkeeper has previously had issues while playing for his national team, most notably being sent home from the 2022 World Cup by then-manager Rigobert Song due to disciplinary problems. He played just three times in 2023 but has featured more regularly over the past two years.
Also among the players named on Brys' list are United star Bryan Mbeumo, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, former Bayern Munich and Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Aboubakar, who is behind only Eto'o in the list of Cameroon's greatest ever goalscorers.