“It’s Nigeria Football Federation politics” — Fans PUZZLED as Umar Sadiq listed as ‘injured’ by Nigeria but plays for Real Sociedad
Umar Sadiq has made 10 appearances for the Nigeria, scoring a goal.
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Umar Sadiq was left out of Nigeria's AFCON squad after sustaining an injury but played for his club. (Image via ESPN and BBC)
Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq, initially ruled out of the 2023 AFCON due to injury, surprised fans and the Nigerian team management by featuring for Real Sociedad in their match against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey, today.
26-year-old forward Umar Sadiq plays for the La Liga side Real Sociedad, having joined the club in 2022 after two good seasons with Almeria. Although initially included in Nigeria’s 26-member squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, Sadiq had to withdraw due to injury and returned to Spain from Ivory Coast. Or at least how the Super Eagles assessed
Despite being ruled out for almost three weeks of action, the forward Umar Sadiq surprisingly made a quick return to play for Real Sociedad in their 2-0 victory against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey. His unexpected appearance shocked fans.
He returned just a week after sustaining an injury that ruled him out of the AFCON. Sadiq came out as a substitute for Andre Silva in the 79th minute of the match. His early return even left Nigeria manager, Jose Peseiro confused. Moreover, Peseiro expressed disappointment at Sadiq for not rejoining the national team.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian national team started off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on a weary note, settling for a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles, led by Napoli star Victor Osimhen, are favorites to win the title this year, and will next face Ivory Coast.
Netizens react to visuals of Umar Sadiq playing for Real Sociedad after missing out on the AFCON for an ‘injury’
Internet users and football fans criticized the Nigerian football federation for engaging in petty politics, after star forward Umar Sadiq who was ruled out of the 2023 AFCON, featured in a game of Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. Fans questioned the swift recovery of the player from an injury that was initially expected to sideline him for over 15 days.
A fan raised doubts on the assessment made by the Nigerian medical team, while also blaming the Nigeria Football Federation for misleading the national team manager to drop Sadiq from the team due to an apparent injury. Another fan blamed the player for faking an injury, claiming that his career with the national team is over.
Here are some of the fans’ reactions:
Meanwhile, one fan blamed all of the parties involved in the injury controversy, expressing concern that it could have negative implications for the team’s performance in the tournament.
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Siddhartha Roy
(788 Articles Published)