Snubbed by Peseiro in AFCON showpiece, Omeruo captains Kasimpasa in his first Super Lig game 2024 

Kenneth Omeruo was in action for Kasimpasa on Friday, five days after the Super Eagles were beaten 2-1 by hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The former Chelsea central defender was a non-playing substitute in the AFCON showpiece, with Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro sticking with a back three consisting of three center backs with Premier League experience, namely Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey. 

Omeruo - the most experienced player in the 2023 AFCON squad - appeared in five matches during the tournament in Ivory Coast, logging 112 minutes in total.

The 30-year-old returned to Turkey earlier this week in good physical condition and went straight into the starting lineup for Kasimpasa's Super Lig clash against Fatih Karagümrük at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadyumu.

In what was his first game at club level since December 25, 2023, Omeruo wore the armband for the entire duration of the game as Kasimpasa were held to a 1-1 draw by the visitors from Istanbul.

Nuno Da Costa headed in a corner in the 11th minute to give Kasimpasa the lead but Fatih Karagümrük equalized at minute 38 when Valentin Eysseric fired home from the edge of the area to make it 1-1, despite Omeruo attempting to make a block.

Omeruo has now made seventeen appearances in this season's Super Lig with three goal involvements (1 goal, 2 assists).  to his name.

He was unavailable for selection in nine straight matches while on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Super Eagles. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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