AFCON 2023: Nigerians Left Surprised As Super Eagles Star Sadiq Umar Returns to Club Training, Video

• The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast is in full swing
• Super Eagles’ forward Sadiq Umar missed out of the competition due to injury
• The Nigerian striker has left many surprised with his swift return to club training

The Super Eagles of Nigeria's final preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were hampered by a flurry of injuries.

Coach Jose Peseiro had to make three changes to the squad ahead of the tournament in Ivory Coast, as several players sustained injuries during the camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was ruled out of the competition with a leg injury and had to be replaced by Al-Hassan Yusuf. Highflying Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface picked up a groin injury and subsequently underwent surgery, and ahead of the Super Eagles clash against Equatorial Guinea, Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar suffered a blow to his meniscus that would later rule him out of the AFCON, and he had to be replaced by Paul Onuachu.

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The plethora of seemingly unfortunate injuries suffered by these players have left many fans disheartened, and many even sending their wishes for a speedy recovery to the players.

Many had dubbed the injuries to Boniface and Sadiq as the most unfortunate, as they happened only days before the start of the tournament.

However, in a surprising twist, one of the injured Super Eagles forward has returned to club training.

Injured Super Eagles forward returns to training

In a video shared to social media by La Liga club Real Sociedad, forward Sadiq Umar was spotted actively participating in football-related activities, including kicking the ball, despite being diagnosed with a meniscus injury just days ago.

This unexpected footage has astonished fans of the Nigerian national team, particularly given that the initial return date for Sadiq was anticipated to be in the first week of February, coinciding with the closing stages of the AFCON.

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The rapid recovery displayed in the video has sparked scepticism among many fans, leading them to ponder whether Sadiq might have intentionally sought exclusion from the competition or received instructions to that effect from his club.

Peseiro goes spiritual after draw

Sports Brief in a previous report stated Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro went spiritual following his team’s draw in the AFCON clash against Equatorial Guinea.

The 63-year-old, seemingly feeling the heat following his team’s underwhelming showing, remarked in a somewhat philosophical manner that God is the one that gives victory.

The words of the Portugeues further add to the growing scepticism that has been meted out to the Nigerian national team.