Nigeria’s Adebayo Adeleye has asked fans to stop mistaking him for Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The 25-year-old, in camp with the Super Eagles in Uyo ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, delivered the message in a light but firm statement.
“My name is Adebayo Adeleye, and I am a Nigerian goalkeeper,” he said.
“Unfortunately, some individuals have been mistakenly referring to me as Andre Onana. 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.”
Past admiration for Onana
This is not the first time Adeleye’s name has been linked with Onana. In 2023, when the Cameroonian was excelling at Inter Milan, Adeleye admitted he admired his style.
“I love his playing style, I like him and like to watch him. So, I feel it is good to be compared with a top goalkeeper in the world,” he told Pulse Sports Nigeria
“Yes, I like to play with the feet a lot. When I played in Israel, we moved the ball a lot, played out from the back, you know? Did a lot of stuff with the leg.”
Super Eagles goalie Adebayo Adeleye. Photo Credit: X
However, while Onana’s move to Manchester United has since been blighted by mistakes, Adeleye now wants to step out of his shadow and build his own identity.
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The comparisons with Onana persist because of their similar look, playing style, haircut, and height. Yet while once flattering, Adeleye now sees them as unhelpful.
Onana has faced heavy criticism at Manchester United, most recently for a costly mistake in a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
Andre Onana in Action for Manchester United. Photo Credit: Getty Images
He has lost his Premier League starting place to Altay Bayındır, while United also brought in Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Adeleye insists he is ready to make his own mark. “I am proud to be Adebayo Adeleye,” he said, “and I would appreciate it if my correct identity is respected.”
Adeleye featured for Nigeria at U17 level in 2017 and U20 level in 2018. His first senior call-up came in June 2022, and he made his debut a year later in a 3–2 win over Sierra Leone in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
He started his professional journey with Hapoel Katamon in 2019 before spending four years at Hapoel Jerusalem. A season in Cyprus with Enosis Neon Paralimni followed, where he kept 10 clean sheets in 32 games.
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In July 2025, Adeleye signed a two-year deal with Greek Super League side Volos FC, after earning six Man of the Match awards in Cyprus.
