Injured Super Eagles forward, Umar Sadiq, has been named in Real Sociedad’s 22-man squad for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round of 16 fixture against Osasuna.
This comes just four days after the striker left Nigeria’s squad at the ongoing 2023 Nations Cup (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire due to an injury.
Reports from Spain indicated that the forward has resumed training with his Spanish club.
A report on the club’s website stated, “Sadiq Umar is already working at Zubieta to rejoin the group as soon as possible.”
Sadiq’s inclusion in Real Sociedad’s squad has raised eyebrows in Nigeria, with reports on social media questioning the haste in which the goal-getter was allowed to leave the Super Eagles’ camp only to resume training at his club.
Responding to Sadiq’s abrupt exit from AFCON, the NFF refuted suggestions that the Super Eagles medical team was incompetent in managing the striker’s injury.
The NFF’s statement, signed by its Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire, clarified the situation.
According to the statement, Sadiq was okay when he arrived at the camp, underwent standard pre-competition medical assessment, and initially seemed fit.
He sustained an injury during a friendly match against Guinea, but the medical team’s advice for substitution was ignored by the player, who insisted on playing the entire 90 minutes.
The statement said that the medical team followed due processes and protocols, consulting a knee surgeon in Spain before deciding on Sadiq’s withdrawal from the squad.
The NFF reiterated its commitment to the collective responsibility of Team Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations championship.
The statement concluded by stating that the player was involved throughout the process, initiating rehabilitation with the team physiotherapist before returning to his club in Spain.
