Omeruo missed some matches for his Championship side prior to the last international break but risked the injury to play for the Eagles in the qualifying games for the 2015 AFCON against Congo and South Africa last month.
The move later backfired as he suffered a knock on the same problematic spot in Pointe Noire against the Red Devils which Nigeria won 2-0 but he was again fielded against South Africa barely three days after the tie against Congo as the Eagles sought a home win over the Bafana Bafana.
Omeruo who has been a pillar of sort in the Eagles backline was a shadow of himself against the Southern Africans and he was technically responsible for the second goal the country conceded in Uyo. It was that second goal that ultimately resulted in Nigeria’s ouster from the 2015 AFCON and the nation missing out on the list of qualifiers during draws conducted last Wednesday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking in an interview the source noted that Omeruo’s patriotism almost landed him in trouble and that the player had been advised not to risk what he did again in the future for the sake of his career.
The impeccable source further added he was happy that the former junior international has recovered from the injury and even featured for Middlesbrough last Saturday in their league 1-1 home draw with Blackburn Rovers where he lasted the entire 90 minutes.
The source further said that Omeruo showed remorse after his injury layoff and that he has promised not to repeat what led to the complication of his initial injury again.
“It was a mistake for Kenneth to have come for the Eagles last two matches in the AFCON qualifiers. He knew he was yet to recover fromthe injury he sustained, but because he wanted to help Nigeria qualify, he had to come but at the expense of his career,” the source said.
He continued: “We have talked to him and he has learned his lesson from what happened in both games and some mistakes he shouldn’t have made during the games if he had been fit for them. I am happy he is back to the pitch playing and he even played 90 minutes for Middleborough in their last game. It showed he has fully recovered.”
Omeruo signed a contract extension with Chelsea before the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the deal will keep him with the
Stamford Bridge landlords till 2018 but he is currently on loan with Middlesborough who are presently sixth on the Championship log with 31points from 19 games. He and the Riverside side will travel to Millwall this weekend for a Match day 20 tie.
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