3 months ago
Umar Sadiq has been included in Real Sociedad’s 22-man squad for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round of 16 fixture at Osasuna.
Sociedad announced the squad for the Cup game on their X handle on Tuesday.
Sadiq’s inclusion in the squad will raise eyebrows in Nigeria since he was released from the Super Eagles AFCON 2023 camp due to injury.
Also, he replaced by Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu, who was in action in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
There were reports on social media questioning the hastiness in which Sadiq was allowed to leave the team’s camp only for him to resume training with his club teammates.
Reacting to the reports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released a statement to address the issue concerning Sadiq’s exit from the camp.
“The camp of Nigeria’s senior men football team, Super Eagles has decried reports in sections of the media that have continued to garnish the medical case of Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar with conspiracy theories, incorrect assumptions and unbecoming insinuations.
“The camp has released a statement with regards to how the player was withdrawn from Nigeria’s squad for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire.
“We are surprised at the news trending on social media concerning Sadiq Umar and how he was withdrawn from the team camp.
“The fact is that our medical team meticulously abided by the best medical procedures and were diligent in their processes and conclusions before advising Head Coach José Peseiro that the player be withdrawn from the squad.
“The player, Sadiq Umar, was okay when he arrived at camp; he had to undergo the standard pre-competition medical assessment and he was good. He started to train with the team.
“Unfortunately, he copped an injury on the back of his left knee during our friendly match against Guinea in Abu Dhabi on 8th January, that led to a penalty against our opponents.
“The medical team advised that he substituted, as a cautionary measure, but he said he was fine and could continue the game. At half time, he said he reiterated that he was good to continue playing, and he played the entire 90 minutes.
“However, the following day, he woke up to see the knee swelling, and the medical team had to apply ice which is the normal thing. The same day, we had to travel to Lagos and on the 10th January, flew to Abidjan. Then, the swelling became worse.“
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