AFCON 2021: Nigerian Striker Demands Support From Fans Not Backlashes After Scoring 1st Super Eagles Goal

AFCON 2021: Nigerian Striker Demands Support From Fans Not Backlashes After Scoring 1st Super Eagles Goal

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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  • Sadiq Umar opened his goals account for the Super Eagles when he scored in the 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday in Garoua
  • The Lanky striker has described scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles as a special moment for him and his family
  • Nigeria are through to the Round of 16 after emerging Top of Group D with three wins in three games

Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar has beckoned on all Nigerians to keep supporting the national team at the ongoing AFCON in Cameroon after Nigeria sealed qualification to the Round of 16 Complete Sports reports.

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles striker calls for more support from Nigerians after scoring first AFCON goal
Sadiq Umar scored Nigeria's opening goal in the 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday. Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo
Source: Getty Images

Nigeria topped Group D after defeating title favorites Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau in all her group games at the tournament.

Sadiq Umar who has featured in all the Eagles games so far in the tournament opened his goal-scoring account for the senior national team when he coolly tapped in from close range to give Nigeria the lead against Guinea-Bissau.

The Almeria forward had been heavily criticized by fans of the Super Eagles for not always imposing himself on games having failed to score in his first two appearances for the Nigerian team but that changed in the inconsequential final group game against the Djurters as the lanky forward opened his goals account for the national team.

The Super Eagles are now through to the Round of 16 where they await their next opponent but Sadiq Umar has now pleaded with Nigerians to keep supporting the national team in the tournament.

The Nigerian forward also said getting his first goal for the Super Eagles was a special moment for him and his family.

” Keep supporting us and be patient with us and hopefully we will keep giving you the result.”
“It’s not easy game, every game in this tournament is a hard game they (Guinea-Bissau) came out to give everything. For me it’s a special moment for me and my family and thank you for supporting us.”

The Super Eagles are three times African champions having won the tournament in 1980, 1994, 2003, and are bidding to win their fourth crown in Cameroon.

Tension in Super Eagles Camp as NFF President Makes Huge Statement Concerning Eguavoen Wages

Earlier Sportsbrief reported The Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has revealed that interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen will be paid only match bonuses and not paid salaries.

Eguavoen was appointed on an interim basis in December 2021 after the football federation sacked former manager Gernot Rohr who had been in charge of the national team for over 5 years.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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