Former Cameroonian national team and Espanyol goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono believes that playing for Inter is a big opportunity for current Cameroonian Number One Andre Onana.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, N’Kono praised Onana’s display against Barcelona in the Champions League, and also emphasized the importance of learning from Nerazzurri captain Samir Handanovic.
Onana didn’t quite establish himself in the starting spot right away after joining Inter from Ajax during the summer.
However, after a string of impressive performances in the Champions League and his first start in Serie A against Sassuolo last weekend, the 26-year-old is hardly looking back.
For N’Kono, playing for a club of Inter’s stature is an important development in Onana’s career.
He is impressed by what he has seen from Onana so far in an Inter shirt, whilst he also emphasized the importance of continuing to learn and grow.
Of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, he said that “It will have been a complicated match for Onana between the psychological aspect and the atmosphere, playing under great pressure.”
“Given the stakes, the alternation with Handanovic, because he was playing in the stadium where he had at one point dreamed of playing for Barcelona,” N’Kono elaborated.
“He’s shown great personality,” he said of Onana, “there are matches where technical quality isn’t enough, something more is needed, and Andre has shown great mental solidity.”
Of Onana’s move from Ajax to Inter, N’Kono said that “Everyone chooses his own path, but for me he did very well, because he arrived in a league with a lot of history and at a great club.”
“It’s a great step forward in his career,” he added.
Of the competition for a starting place with Inter captain Samir Handanovic, N’Kono said that “I think Onana has to take inspiration from Handanovic, a legend at the club and in the role, and Andre must enjoy the privilege of being his student.”
“Samir knows everything there is to know about Inter, he’s a perfect guide.”
“Andre must take advantage of Handa’s experience, opening the door and then taking over the starting role,” he continued.
