Nigeria’s coach, José Peseiro, has expressed his bewilderment over the eligibility of Umar Sadiq to play for Spanish team Real Sociedad, considering the forward’s injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite being sidelined due to injury, the 26-year-old Sadiq was named in Sociedad’s squad for the Copa del Rey game against Osasuna on Wednesday, leading Peseiro to express confusion about the player’s ability to participate for his club while being unavailable for the national team at AFCON.
“I’m also confused,” Peseiro said when asked about Sadiq on Wednesday. “What I can say, I saw the report from the medical test that he’s injured and that he cannot recover in 15 days, at least, or more time… The report went to the club, and the club said he must come (back) to recover.”
Peseiro said Sadiq wanted to stay with the Nigeria squad but that he and his coaching staff decided to replace him before Jan. 3, the final day to submit the squad lists for the tournament.
“I am happy that he recovered well. I am sad that he’s not here to help us,” Peseiro said.
The pressure is mounting on Peseiro’s Super Eagles as they face host nation Ivory Coast on Thursday, following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening game. In contrast, Ivory Coast began their campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.
The Portuguese coach, Peseiro, has come under criticism in the aftermath of Nigeria’s draw. Furthermore, his team has been susceptible defensively, conceding at least one goal in each of their last six games, including a 2-0 loss to Guinea in a pre-tournament warm-up match.
Star forward Victor Osimhen found the net but also missed several golden opportunities in Nigeria’s tournament opener, a match they dominated without securing a victory. Despite having 19 shots at goal compared to Equatorial Guinea’s seven, the Super Eagles failed to capitalise on their chances, intensifying the scrutiny on Peseiro and his team.
“If you create the same opportunities, you’re going to score,” Peseiro said Wednesday. “Like I said the last time, Sometimes, the god gives, sometimes the god takes. It’s the right time for God to give (to) us.”