NFF hand call-up to NPFL star to replace Omeruo as Leganes decide to follow Almeria's lead

Published: March 20, 2021

Spanish Segunda Division club Leganes have reneged on a previous agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation and have decided not to release their central defender Kenneth Omeruo for the Super Eagles' upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches with the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Leganes coach Asier Garitano confirmed that the club had permitted Kenneth Omeruo to link up with the Nigeria squad but there is a new development.

Leganes have followed the example of Almeria who blocked Umar Sadiq from reporting for international duty next week, citing health and safety conditions were not met.

The Nigeria Football Federation have handed a late call-up to Abia Warriors defender Adeleke Adekunle as a replacement for Omeruo.

Had he joined up with the Super Eagles squad, Omeruo would have missed two league matches against Almería (March 27) and Mallorca (April 1).

French-based duo Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu were the first players to pull out of the Nigerian squad as a result of COVID-19 concerns.

Omeruo has not been involved in any of the matches played by the Super Eagles in 2021 AFCON qualifying.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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