Super Eagles Star Onyemaechi Welcomes First Child

Super Eagles left-back Bruno Onyemaechi has left the Nigerian national team’s training camp in Antalya, Turkey, following the birth of his first child with Portuguese partner Ines Fontes, casting doubt over his availability for the friendly against Jordan scheduled for Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Olympiacos defender was notably absent from Nigeria’s first training session after the team’s 2-1 victory over Iran, a result that raised early questions about his whereabouts. Onyemaechi subsequently confirmed the development on social media, reposting a hospital photo of himself cradling his newborn alongside the caption, “Best gift ever.”

Fontes, a Portuguese content creator who has been in a relationship with Onyemaechi since his time at Boavista, had announced the pregnancy in early March through photos of her baby bump shared on social media. She followed up on Saturday with hospital photos confirming the baby’s arrival, though neither parent has publicly disclosed the child’s gender.

The Super Eagles’ official account on X offered public congratulations, writing, “Congratulations to Bruno Onyemaechi and his partner on the birth of their first child,” reflecting the team’s acknowledgement of the personal milestone.

Under standard football protocol, players are typically granted a short compassionate leave from international duty following the birth of a child, a practice widely observed across FIFA member associations. Whether Onyemaechi will return to camp before Tuesday’s fixture remains uncertain.

Head coach Eric Chelle, however, retains options in the left-back position. Zaidu Sanusi, the Porto defender and a regular in the Eagles’ defensive setup, is fit and available to deputise should Onyemaechi not return in time. Sanusi has accumulated considerable experience across his international appearances and is considered a capable first-choice alternative.

Onyemaechi, who joined Greek club Olympiacos after leaving Boavista, has established himself as a consistent option for the Eagles at left-back under recent coaching setups. At 26, he represents a key part of Nigeria’s defensive planning ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria’s friendly against Jordan forms part of the Super Eagles’ preparation schedule during the current international window. The match in Antalya offers Chelle an opportunity to assess depth and options across his squad ahead of more consequential fixtures.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had not issued a formal statement on Onyemaechi’s absence from camp as of the time of this report.