C.D. Leganés defender Kenneth Omeruo has received the call-up to represent Nigeria at the next African Cup of Nations from 9th January - 6th February in Cameroon.
The number '4', in communication with FIFA's message last Saturday, delayed his arrival at the Nigerian camp in Cameroon to participate in the club's first game of 2022 against Real Valladolid at the José Zorrilla on Sunday 2nd January: their 22nd league fixture of the season.
Following the pucelanos encounter, Omeruo retreats for national duty
The 2022 competition is Omeruo's third, having won the tournament in 2013 and playing in the 2019 edition. Nigeria are pooled in a contentious Group D that contains first-fixture opponents, Salah-powered Egypt. They play on Tuesday 11th January, before facing Sudan on Saturday 15th and Guinea Bissau Wednesday 19th. The two first place teams in each group secure automatic qualification for the first knockout stage, the Round of 16, while the four best third place teams proceed according to points, followed by goal difference. The knockout stages will take place from Sunday 23rd to Wednesday 26th, with the final played the next week on Sunday 6th February.
As such, Omeruo will be unavailable for both of C.D. Leganés fixtures against both regiments of the Txuri-Urdin. Real Sociedad 'B' become the Butarque's first LaLiga SmartBank visitors of 2022 on Saturday 8th January at 21:00 (CET), following the footsteps of first team Real Sociedad, who play three days earlier on Wednesday 5th January at 16:00 (CET) in the Copa Del Rey. The club wishes him the best of luck in the tournament; the date of his return contingent on Nigeria's results.
