AFCON 2023: Nigeria Medics Under Scrutiny As Sadiq Umar Makes Real Sociedad Team

• Sadiq Umar has been listed in Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey squad
• The forward was dropped from Nigeria’s AFCON camp due to injury
• Umar was said to be out for three weeks by the Nigerian medics

Nigerians are yet to come to terms with seeing Sadiq Umar making Real Sociedad’s matchday squad for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash against Osasuna, days after leaving the Super Eagles camp.

The lanky forward was said to have picked up a knee injury while in the Nigeria camp for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and was accessed by the team’s medics, who ruled him out of competition.

According to the Daily Post, Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, subsequently called up Paul Onuachu to replace Sadiq in the squad after he was told by the medics the forward would be out for three weeks.

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However, Sadiq was back training at Spanish club Real Sociedad days after being dropped from the Nigeria squad due to injury and has been listed in the club’s matchday squad for Wednesday, January 17.

It is unclear whether Sadiq will play in the cup game, which takes place a day before Nigeria's second AFCON group encounter against Ivory Coast.

Nigerians blast Super Eagles' medics

Meanwhile, fans of the Super Eagles were not pleased with the country’s medics after pictures and videos of Sadiq Umar training with Real Sociedad emerged on the internet.

Some took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure, especially after it was reported that the striker was expected to be sidelined for three weeks.

Broadcaster Charles Anazodo describes the whole drama as unbelievable.

“How is it that Sadiq Umar, reported to have a knee injury while in camp with the @NGSuperEagles is now fit to play for @RealSociedadEN today in La Liga? How does a knee injury heal in days after the player was reported by the @thenff to be out for 3 weeks? Unbelievable!!”

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Another fan, Joseph Faulkner, tweeted that maybe the medics were not good enough or someone wanted to sabotage Sadiq.

“Sadiq Umar’s case points to either of two things. 1. The @NGSuperEagles team doctors are incompetent, or 2. Sabotage (someone just wants Sadiq out of that team. But I’m tilting more towards incompetence on the part of the team doctors.”

Pooja, a photo-journalist, also described the incident as petty.

Nigeria will tackle Ivory Coast on Thursday, January 14, but Sadiq could have been done playing for Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey encounter on Wednesday.

Injuries ruining Nigeria’s AFCON challenge

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a flurry of injuries is hampering Nigeria's Super Eagles' final preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Coach Jose Peseiro had to make three changes to the squad before the tournament in Ivory Coast, due to injuries received during the camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).