Club Brugge boss admits midfield void as Onyedika departs for AFCON

Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko has conceded that the absence of Nigerian international Raphael Onyedika has left a significant tactical void in his squad as the Belgian Pro League title race intensifies.

Onyedika is currently in Morocco with the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), leaving Leko to navigate a mounting selection crisis.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes showdown against Genk, the Brugge tactician admitted that the Nigerian’s unique physical and technical profile is proving impossible to replicate.

“We’re missing a very important player,” Leko told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “Because Ludovit Reis is also sidelined, we simply don’t have a similar profile to replace him [Onyedika].”

LEKO IDENTIFIES TACTICAL “HEADACHE” AS ONYEDIKA JOINS SUPER EAGLES FOR AFCON

The 23-year-old midfielder has been a cornerstone of Brugge’s campaign this season, providing the defensive anchor that allows the team’s creative talents to flourish. His AFCON departure comes at a precarious time for the Blauw-Zwart, who must now find a temporary solution to maintain their midfield balance.

Despite the personnel shortage, Leko remained defiant, insisting that collective organisation would be the key to overcoming Genk.

“We’ll have to come up with something, but we have enough quality to find a solution,” Leko added. “You can be sure that the eleven players on the pitch will know how to defend and attack together on Sunday.”

Onyedika is a vital component of a Super Eagles side tipped as one of the favourites in Morocco. While he hunts for a fourth continental crown for Nigeria, his club manager faces the daunting task of keeping Brugge’s domestic ambitions alive without his midfield general.