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Andre Onana's visit to Uganda sparks wild scenes of fan chaos after Cameroon's 0-0 draw, leaving security scrambling.
Crazy scenes were unfolding at Uganda’s Nelson Mandela Stadium as Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana attempted to make his exit after a dramatic 0-0 draw between Cameroon and Zimbabwe in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Onana, the man of the moment, found himself in a whirlwind of excitement and chaos, all courtesy of his popularity among the massive Manchester United fanbase in Uganda.
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Uganda has a deep love for Manchester United, and with nearly 600,000 members in the nation’s largest Facebook group for Red Devils fans, Onana’s presence was the talk of the town.
Fans from all corners of Kampala made their way to the stadium, donning their favorite United shirts, eager to witness the shot-stopping prowess of their idol.
The Onana effect hits Uganda
When Onana and his Cameroon teammates touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Sunday, the scene was already set for madness.
The moment he stepped off the plane, airport staff, security officials, and even fellow travelers turned into starstruck fans, clamoring for selfies and autographs.
Not even the usually stoic airport security could resist the magnetic pull of the United star. In true Onana fashion, he graciously obliged, creating a spectacle that hinted at the chaos to come.
A hero’s welcome in Kampala
By the time matchday arrived, the excitement had reached fever pitch. United fans, who had anticipated this moment for days, flooded the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
The vibrant atmosphere was supercharged with chants of "Onana!" ringing out across the stands, blending with the traditional cheers for Cameroon.
It was as if Onana had single-handedly transformed Uganda into Manchester United’s second home.
Despite the electrifying atmosphere, the match itself was a frustrating affair for Cameroon, who couldn’t build on their 1-0 win over Namibia just days earlier.
Fortunately for the Indomitable Lions, Onana was on hand to produce multiple saves, keeping Zimbabwe at bay and securing a valuable point for his team.
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The 0-0 result may not have thrilled the football purists, but for the United faithful in Uganda it was all about the man between the posts.
Onana madness after the final whistle
As soon as the final whistle blew, the real madness began. Hundreds of fans swarmed the exit, desperate to get a glimpse of their hero as Onana attempted to leave the stadium.
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In a show of gratitude, Onana walked toward the ecstatic crowd, removed his gloves, and threw them into the stands. What followed was nothing short of a frenzy, as fans scrambled to claim a piece of history – the gloves of the great Onana himself!
With the crowd growing more restless, security quickly realized they had a situation on their hands.
Enter Dixon Adol Okello, Uganda’s celebrated safety and security football expert, who took charge of the scene with military precision.
Under his direction, the most feared Presidential Guard Brigade, typically reserved for Uganda’s head of state, Yoweri Museveni, was deployed to protect Onana from the surging crowd.
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In a moment straight out of an action movie, Onana was whisked away into a modest Toyota Premio while his team bus, now a mere decoy, was left behind.
Army personnel cleared a path through the sea of fans as the United star made a swift getaway, much to the dismay of the onlookers hoping for one last picture.
Onana fever at the Airport
The journey back to the airport was no less dramatic. As news spread that Onana was heading to Entebbe International Airport, more fans gathered, hoping for a final chance to see their hero.
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Onana, having experienced the full force of Uganda’s Manchester United madness, could only smile at the pandemonium he had inadvertently caused.
Uganda may have hosted the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, but for the people of Kampala, it was Andre Onana’s show from start to finish. And what a show it was!
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