Andre Onana’s Wife: Meet Dr Melanie Kamayou Whose Medications Once Led to the Manchester United Star Facing 12-Month Ban

Filling David de Gea’s shoes was never going to be a straightforward job! The Spaniard left a vast void at the club following his departure. However, it seems like the Red Devils have finally found their man – Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana. While he’s established himself as a critical part of the team, the Manchester United man’s rise to success has been filled with roadblocks, including one that could’ve potentially ended his career.

With that aspect comes the question of what happened. That’s where his wife, Dr. Melanie Kamayou, comes into the picture. Melanie, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, tied the knot with Andre Onana during his time at Ajax. Dr. Kamayou is a well-known personality in Africa, with the soccer star’s wife earning her doctorate from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health in May 2022. She is also registered with the Red Cross Society and is known for her philanthropic ventures.

According to reports, despite relocating to Manchester to support her husband’s career, Dr. Kamayou continues to work with multiple hospitals in Cameroon, providing help to those in need. As for her private life, although she boasts 42.6k followers on Instagram, Onana’s wife likes to keep it just that – private. Owing to the fact that fashion is an important part of her life, her posts usually surround her stunning outfits. 

While she keeps her life with Andre Onana behind wraps on most occasions, Melanie does share glimpses ever so often. This past Christmas, she posted a picture with the United goalkeeper as they sported matching PJs. As for her public appearances, she was first spotted with Onana during the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony and, since then, has been occasionally spotted with the player. The entrepreneur makes it a point to attend her husband’s matches whenever she can.

Most recently, Dr. Kamayou was pictured at Old Trafford after United’s 2-0 win over Everton on March 9. The couple also has a son named Andre Jr. and continues to stay strong in their relationship, three years after an incident in 2021 surrounding a 12-month ban Onana received.

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The story behind Andre Onana’s nine-month period off the pitch

Andre Onana made a name for himself playing for Erik ten Hag’s Ajax. The Cameroonian shot-stopper immediately impressed everyone with his performances for the Dutch side, making his debut in 2015. Onana shot to fame in 2019 when he was nominated for the coveted Yashin Trophy. He finished seventh in the rankings that season and continued to impress everyone with his skill between the posts until an unexpected doping scandal rocked the player’s career in 2020.

The ex-Ajax star was accused of taking a prohibited substance back in 2021, with the Dutch Football Federation imposing a one-year ban on the player. Onana’s blood samples contained Furosemide, a drug that is banned by doping authorities as it can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs. Per a statement put out by Ajax in February 2021, “On the morning of October 30, Onana was feeling unwell. He wanted to take a pill to ease the discomfort. Unknowingly, however, he took Furosemide, a drug that his wife had previously been prescribed.”

Explaining how it was a human error, Onana and the club appealed for a reduction in or the removal of the 12-month ban. Another subsequent statement by Ajax read, “Onana turned in a positive doping test at the end of 2020, which was a result of him accidentally taking a pill meant for his wife that he had thought was an aspirin.” 

The UEFA reduced the ban to nine months in February, and the Cameroonian was set to resume his goalkeeping duties in November 2021. In an interview with The Guardian, he explained, “They recognized it was a genuine mistake, but you’re responsible for everything in your body. It’s a human error.” That said, what are your thoughts on Andre Onana’s doping scandal? Let us know in the comments below.

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