Stop calling me Onana - Super Eagles goalkeeper Adeleye warns Nigerians

Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye has issued a firm warning to Nigerian fans, asking them to stop comparing him to Manchester United’s Andre Onana following a wave of viral social media reactions.

In recent weeks, Adeleye’s striking resemblance to Onana, both in appearance and style, sparked widespread comparisons online.

Fans even went as far as urging him to change his hairstyle to avoid being mistaken for the Cameroonian shot-stopper. Some joked they initially thought Onana had switched national teams or that Adeleye was just a lookalike.

However, Adeleye has now set the record straight in a heartfelt statement shared by Nigerian journalist OgaNla Media. He addressed the public directly:

“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.

“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.”

Adeleye, who plays in Israel and has been called up as part of Nigeria’s squad fighting to revive their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes, is eager to be recognised for his own achievements and not overshadowed by comparisons to Onana.

As Nigeria prepares for crucial matches against Rwanda and South Africa, Adeleye hopes his focus will be on his performances on the field, rather than off-field chatter about his looks or style.