Andre Onana was key for Inter Milan as they reached the Champions League final last season (Photo: Getty)
Manchester United star Andre Onana has shockingly not been nominated for the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year award.
Though Onana has had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford since his £47million move over the summer, last season he was unquestionably one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
The Cameroon international starred for Inter Milan, keeping 19 clean sheets and conceding just 36 goals in 41 games, winning the Coppa Italia and reaching the Champions League final.
At Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, he finished 23rd overall and sixth for the Yashin Trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper.
But that wasn’t enough for the CAF who have snubbed the 27-year-old from their 30-man shortlist for African Footballer of the Year 2023, though he has been nominated for the goalkeeper award.
One United player has made the shortlist however: Sofyan Amrabat, who was a key player for Morocco as they became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Six other Premier League stars have been nominated, namely Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (Ghana), Tottenham duo Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal), West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahima Sangare (Senegal).
Sofyan Amrabat has been nominated after helping Morocco make history at the World Cup (Photo: Getty)
Liverpool legend Sadio Mane, now playing for Saudi side Al-Nassr, won the award last year, while Victor Osimhen, who was a top transfer target for United over the summer, is the favourite this time around.
The Nigeria striker scored 31 goals last season to fire Napoli toward the Serie A title.
Onana’s snub may have something to do with him quitting international duty after getting kicked out of Cameroon’s World Cup squad last November following a bust-up with head coach Rigobert Song.
More: Trending
However, the pair have since made up and he returned to his national team in September, and it was reported on Wednesday that he has decided to play at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in January.
If true, he will miss United’s Premier League clashes with Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa, and potentially games in the domestic cups and Champions League.
The CAF awards winners will be announced on 11th December.
MORE : Wes Brown makes Manchester United vs Newcastle prediction and sends message to Erik ten Hag’s side
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.