Abia Warriors’ Adekunle Replaces Omeruo For AFCON Qualifiers

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has handed a late call-up to Abia Warriors defender Adeleke Adekunle as a replacement for Leganes star Kenneth Omeruo.

Spanish Segunda side Leganes had gone back on their word to allow Omeruo link up with the Eagles for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

Leganes coach, Asier Garitano, while speaking during a press conference ahead of the Cucumber’s match against CF Fuenlabrada in Butarque, confirmed that the club had permitted Omeruo to join the Super Eagles for their AFCON qualifiers.

But Leganes have now decided not to release the former Chelsea defender for international duty, following in the step of Almeria, who also blocked striker Umar Sadiq from the qualifiers, citing health and safety conditions.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced Omeruo’s replacement on Twitter on Saturday.

“Adeleke Adekunle of @AbiaWarriors replaces @omeruo22,” NFF stated.

The decision by the Spanish club means Omeruo, who has not featured for the Eagles in any of the 2021 AFCON qualifying matches, will play no part in the qualifying rounds.

Meanwhile, he will now be available for selection for Garitano, whose side battle Almería on March 27 and Mallorca on April 1.