Ajax chief praises André Onana for playing through adversity | OneFootball

Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has hailed André Onana’s “mental strength” in dealing with his failed doping test.

The 24-year-old Ajax goalkeeper has received a 12-month ban as a result of an out-of-competition drug test in October.

The banned substance furosemide was found in his urine sample after the Cameroon international had mistakenly taken medication prescribed for his wife while feeling unwell.

Although the ban was only publicly announced on Thursday, Onana has obviously been aware of the situation for some time now.

“You take it into the matches,” former Ajax and Netherlands stopper van der Sar said, per De Telegraaf.

“Even if the use of the drug was unintentional.”

Onana has played his part in a watertight defensive unit that has conceded just 15 goals in 20 Eredivisie games to date this season.

“It is great that he kept his team going several times in January,” van der Sar added.

“He knew when the verdict would come and therefore also that Sunday’s game against AZ could be his last for the time being.

“If you see how he managed there: hats off to his mental strength and commitment to Ajax in this mentally difficult time for himself.”

Onana and Ajax are appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.