By Ayo Bada
Senior Correspondent
Super Eagles star, Kenneth Omeruo, is not happy that he will not be part of the national Under-23 team to this year’s Olympic Games billed for Rio de Janeriro in Brazil.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, said Omeruo – who plays as a centre back for Turkish club, Kasımpaşa, on loan from Chelsea – is pleased that interim Super Eagles Coach, Salisu Yusuf, included him in the 26-man squad to face Les Aiglons of Mali and Red Lions of Luxembourg later this month.
Omeruo said: “I regret my inability to be part of the Olympics team but as a professional player, one has to be guided by the recommendations of experts.
“My doctors advised that it is best I have a good rest during the off season and they felt participating in the Olympics won’t guarantee that, so I had to pull out.
“In my absence, I believe in the abilities of the national U-23 team coaches and the players to do the nation proud in Rio.”
However, speaking after his name was included in the 26-man squad to face Les Aiglons and Red Lions, Omeruo expressed eagerness to play in the friendlies.
“I am happy that I have been called up for the friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg.
“I’m looking forward to putting on the green and white of Nigeria again and giving my 100 per cent to the team.
“There is no truth in the reports that I am currently sidelined by groin injury. I am very fit and hope to stay this way for my club and country.”
Other players recalled to the Super Eagles squad for the two friendly matches include
former Under-20 skipper, Musa Muhammed, former Under-20 defender, Gbenga Arokoyo, former Under-23 midfielder, Raheem Lawal, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Brown Ideye, and one-cap left back, Kingsley Madu.
Omeruo signed for Chelsea from Standard Liege in January 2012 and went on loan to Dutch top-flight side ADO Den Haag.
Then only 19, he impressed enough in the Eredivisie to earn a call up to the Nigerian national team.
Now a regular international, he has represented Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Omeruo cemented a place in the starting line-up at the Africa Cup of Nations as it turned into a wonderful tournament for the Super Eagles who won tournament.
He had spells at Sunshine Stars and Anderlecht as a trailist before he was signed from the Anderlecht Academy by Standard Liege.
