Rise and fall of African goalkeepers in Europe: Like Mendy, like Onana

Andre Onana was a man in the headlines this week.

The Manchester United goalkeeper found himself in a verbal exchange with Lyon’s Nemanja Matic ahead of the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Ahead of the game, Matic was asked about Onana’s comments from earlier this week that United were “way better” than the French club.

Matic, who played for United from 2017-2022, shot back: “You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer.

“If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, you need to take care what you’re talking about.

“If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] De Gea saying that, then I would question myself. But you need to have cover to say something like that.”

As it turned out, Onana was at fault for both Lyon’s goals in his side’s 2-2 draw.

Since the start of last season, the Cameroonian has made eight errors leading to goals in all competitions, the most of any keeper playing for a Premier League club.

Before arriving at Old Trafford in 2023, Onana had joined Inter Milan on a free transfer in July 2022, winning a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana title in his only season with the Serie A club.

As it turned out, Onana was at fault for both Lyon’s goals in his side’s 2-2 draw.

Since the start of last season, the Cameroonian has made eight errors leading to goals in all competitions, the most of any keeper playing for a Premier League club.

Before arriving at Old Trafford in 2023, Onana had joined Inter Milan on a free transfer in July 2022, winning a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana title in his only season with the Serie A club.

He also reached the Champions League final, before leaving for United for initial £43.8 million deal.

Although United manager, Ruben Amorim, tried to take the spotlight away from his keeper, the criticisms has been widespread amid calls for the former Inter Milan man to be dropped.

The broader picture is that of an African goalkeeper at a top club being forced into oblivion.

Before Onana, there was Eduardo Mendy.

Mendy hit the dizzying heights with Chelsea, winning the Champions League in 2020-21 and keeping 49 clean sheets in 105 games.

The Senegalese was later named UEFA’s goalkeeper of the season and Best FIFA men’s keeper for 2021.

But Mendy fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge after Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter as manager in September 2022.

After becoming back-up to Kepa Arrizabalaga, he decided to move to Saudi Arabia, where he now plays for Al-Ahli.

Beyond Onana and Mendy, there is no recent history of an African stopper to play at the top level.

Why is that?

“The scarcity of African goalkeepers in top-flight football comes down to the lack of quality coaching, which is particularly worse in the goalkeeping department,” Steve Dede, the immediate former Sports Editor at Pulse tells SOCIETY WATCH.

Having worked in grassroots football, I’ve seen firsthand how goalkeeper training lags, lacking the specialised, scientific approach needed to develop elite talent.

“Goalkeeping isn’t something you can wing — it demands precision and expertise that young African players rarely get.

“Once in a while, a gem emerges; Enyeama, Onana, Mendy, Kameni, or N’Kono.

“But they are exceptions, not the rule, because systemic support for goalkeepers is too thin.”