Nigeria vs Argentina: Sadiq Umar Set to Return to Nigeria Squad for Friendly

• Sadiq Umar has reportedly been invited back to the Super Eagles squad
• Nigeria are gearing up to face world champions Argentina in a friendly game
• Umar was dropped from Nigeria’s AFCON squad after picking up an injury

Sadiq Umar is set to be reunited with the rest of the Super Eagles squad for the international friendly game against reigning world champions, Argentina, in March.

The Real Sociedad forward was dropped from Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad in controversial circumstances after a misunderstanding with the team medics over an injury.

According to the Daily Post, Sadiq was suspected to have picked up a knee injury in Nigeria’s friendly clash with Guinea before the start of AFCON and was later dropped from the squad that reached the final in Ivory Coast.

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Not long after the 26-year-old forward left the Super Eagles camp, he was seen back in training with Real Sociedad after returning to Spain, causing an uproar and war of words on social media.

However, in a lengthy Instagram post, Sadiq stated that Real Sociedad's medical team examined him and that he had sustained a bruise rather than a knee injury, as previously stated by the Super Eagles medical team.

NFF invites Sadiq for friendly

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has sent a preliminary letter of invitation to Sadiq for the forthcoming international friendly game against world champions, Argentina, Own Goal Nigeria reports.

The clubs of players that are to be invited to the friendly game against La Albiceleste have already been contacted by the NFF as they conclude preparations for the match scheduled for the United States on March 26.

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The game was initially to be played in China but Chinese authorities backed out from hosting the friendly after backlash from its fans over a row with Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Super Eagles medics under scrutiny

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Eagles fans were dissatisfied with the country's medics after photos and videos of Umar training with Real Sociedad surfaced online.

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.

Sadiq was back training at Spanish club Real Sociedad days after being dropped from the Nigeria squad due to injury and was even listed in the club’s matchday squad two days later.