Twelve Stars For Umar Sadiq But Kenneth Omeruo Outshines Segunda’s Best Player

The Nigerian striker was named the best player in the Spanish second division in January but he was outshone by the 2013 African Cup of Nations winner 

Kenneth Omeruo and Umar Sadiq made huge impacts for their respective clubs at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque but it was the Super Eagles defender who laughed last as Leganes defeated Almeria 2-1 in a game week 21 clash.

Umar Sadiq opened the scoring in the 8th minute for the visitors – his 12th league goal of an incredible debut campaign in Spain.

But after Borja Baston equalized for the hosts shortly after the interval, Nigerian international centre-back Omeruo popped up with a late, late winner to hand the Cucumber Growers a sweet, sweet home win.

How it happened

The name on everyone’s lips ahead of kickoff was Sadiq’s as the former Roma star’s goals continue to fuel Almeria’s promotion dreams.

And the 24-year-old didn’t disappoint as it took him only eight minutes to outwit the Leganes defence – boasting the services of veteran Super Eagles defender, Omeruo – to cap a fine team move with his first goal in February.

The former Nigerian youth international had smashed in seven goals in just four La Liga Smartbank games in January to run away with the league’s most valuable player award of the month.

After firing blank in Almeria’s 1-1 draw at Fuenlabrada on February 6, a game in which he also received a red card that kept him out of his side’s 3-1 home win over Las Palmas, Sadiq showed he has no intention of slowing down.

A win at Leganes would have taken Jose Gomes’ side to the top of the table, but Omeruo and co had other plans, including their own hopes of a quick return to La Liga.

And with the game heading for a drab draw, Omeruo surfaced in the opposition box to bundle home a 95th-minute free-kick and hand Asier Garitano’s men their fourth consecutive victory in the league. 

It was Omeruo’s first league goal of the season for Leganes, and what a perfect time to get.