André Onana will return to Ajax’s match selection on Sunday for the home match against Go Ahead Eagles, the reports NOS Saturday. The goalkeeper has been sidelined since February due to a doping suspension, but he has been available again since last Thursday. Onana will therefore take a seat on the bench, partly because Maarten Stekelenburg will be out for the rest of the season due to an operation on his hip.
Remko Pasveer, who has been an important link in the (European) successes of the Eredivisie leader in recent weeks, is below the bar. “André joins in, but at the moment Remko is our first man”, emphasized coach Erik ten Hag a week ago after the scoreless draw against Heracles Almelo (0-0). “I think a club like Ajax needs a good goalkeeper team. When there are gaps, you need to take action and bring together the best players available. Then they fight it out together.”
Pasveer’s good performances in recent weeks have ensured that the veteran has an edge over Onana. “I am very happy with him at the moment. If he continues these achievements, he will be number one.” Onana’s return has been a point of discussion between him and director of football affairs Marc Overmars. “Obviously, then we discussed it together and ultimately made a well-considered choice,” emphasized the Ajax trainer.
Pasveer was informed by Ten Hag about the return of Onana. “I said that given the current situation of the club, that is very understandable, with the loss of Maarten Stekelenburg,” the veteran also responded a week ago. “We have to keep the level of goalkeeping as high as possible. the task to just do my job and then the choice is up to the trainer.”
Onana, who has been associated with Ajax since 2014, was the first goalkeeper from mid-2017 until his suspension. The goalkeeper from Cameroon seemed to move from Amsterdam in the past transfer period, but a transition did not occur. Overmars previously announced that the role of 25-year-old Onana, who will run out of his contract after this season, had been played out at Ajax. That was because both parties could not agree on a new contract.
Partly because of Stekelenburg’s long-term injury, Overmars came back to it. “It was clear to us that André would make a transfer last summer. That did not happen and so he is still under contract with us. My position on his situation was clear, but the interests of Ajax are paramount and from this point of view it is good that he is returning to the first team,” said Overmars a week ago.
Ajax – Go Ahead Eagles kicks off on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. The match is led by referee Rob Dieperink.