Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq has hit back at critics over his quick recovery from injury to feature in a Copa Del Rey win for Real Sociedad over Osasuna after being ruled out for the 2023 AFCON.
The striker was ruled out of the AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire after picking up an injury in Nigeria’s friendly game loss to Guinea mere days to the start of the competition.
However, a few days after his exit from the Nigerian team, videos that captured Sadiq training with his Sociedad surfaced online and he went ahead to play 17 minutes against Osasuna. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
Sadiq’s involvement surprised Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro who termed the 6 foot 4 inch striker’s situation as “confusing”.
However, according to Sadiq, his injury was misdiagnosed by the Nigerian medical team since Sociedad’s medical team diagnosed his injury as a bruise and not a meniscus related injury.
In his statement addressing the situation, Sadiq voiced his commitment to his country stating, “Representing Nigeria is a priority for me, I will return with joy if that happens. I’m sad not to be with my teammates, but happy because they are winning.”
Nigeria drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea and beat host nation Cote D’Ivoire 1-0 two games into its 2023 AFCON campaign and plays Guinea-Bissau next on Monday, January 22.
Scroll down to read full statement