Nigeria international Bruno Onyemaechi has shed light on how a move to Ligue 1 side Nantes fell through at the last minute.
The left-back has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers in Europe since joining Boavista two years ago, first on loan and later permanently. Onyemaechi played 26 matches for Boavista last season as the club narrowly escaped relegation.
His impressive performances also saw him included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, although he was not given any game time as Jose Peseiro’s side finished as runners-up after losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
Onyemaechi has now revealed that he was on the verge of joining French club Nantes during the AFCON, which coincided with the opening of the January transfer window.
Bruno Onyemaechi reveals Nantes heartbreak mid-AFCON
According to the defender, Nantes tabled a bid for him, which meant he had to leave the Super Eagles camp to finalise the deal with his club.
However, Onyemaechi said, the Ligue 1 side later changed some of the details of the offer, forcing Boavista to pull the plugs. The 25-year-old further disclosed that everyone in the national team camp was already congratulating him on the move before it fell through at the last minute.
“It really happened. When I was at the AFCON, I nearly left the camp. This was Nantes.
“I nearly left the camp and then my agent called me back and said to me that Nantes changed some things in the contract offer they made to Boavista and then Boavista didn’t accept,” Onyemaechi told EaglesTracker NG.
“So I needed to stay back. The national team players and everyone were already saying ‘congratulations’ to me because I was leaving for Nantes. That is what happened.”
Despite Onyemaechi’s impressive campaign in the Portuguese league last season, he was snubbed by Finidi George for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin in June. The left-back will, however, be hoping to get a chance under the next Super Eagles boss.
