Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye has issued a strong clarification to Nigerians, urging fans and media to stop confusing him with Cameroon’s number one, Andre Onana.
In a statement made public, Adeleye expressed his displeasure over repeated cases of mistaken identity.
“To the esteemed public, I wish to clarify a pressing matter regarding my identity. My name is Adebayo Adeleye, and I am a Nigerian goalkeeper. Unfortunately, some individuals have been mistakenly referring to me as Andre Onana, the renowned Cameroonian goalkeeper,” Adeleye said.
“I kindly request that the public refrain from associating me with Andre Onana, as we are two distinct individuals with different nationalities and careers. I am proud to be Adebayo Adeleye, a Nigerian, and I would appreciate it if my correct identity is respected and used in all references,” he added.
The 25-year-old, who plays his club football for Greek Super League club Volos, made his Super Eagles debut in June 2022 against Sierra Leone. Since then, he has been part of Nigeria’s goalkeeping set-up, competing with Francis Uzoho and others for the first-choice spot.
Andre Onana, on the other hand, is an established Cameroonian goalkeeper currently playing for Manchester United in the English Premier League.
Adeleye’s public statement highlights the importance of respecting players’ identities, particularly as both Nigeria and Cameroon boast rich football traditions. For Adeleye, the message is clear: he wants to be recognised solely for his own talent, career, and contributions to Nigerian football.
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