Dreams Come True: Gernot Rohr Hands Almeria’s Umar Sadiq Maiden Super Eagles Call-up

After many years playing for loads of clubs in Europe, the Nigerian forward has finally done enough to merit an invitation to one of the powerhouses of African football

According to reports in the Spanish media, Almeria have announced that their top striker Umar Sadiq has received an invitation to be part of the Super Eagles team preparing to face the Benin Republic and Lesotho later this month.

Sadiq has been one of the most outstanding Nigerian footballers in Europe this term scoring goals for fun and powering Almeria’s push for promotion to the Spanish top-flight.

The 24-year-old smashed in six goals and two assists in just ten Serbian Super Liga matches for Partizan Belgrade before completing a five million euros move to Almeria in the summer.

Sadiq needed little time to settle down in Spain, and the former AS Roma starlet has banged in 14 goals and supplied five assists in 25 La Liga 2 games.

The former Rangers man has added two goals in the Copa del Rey to bring his tally for the season to 22 goals in all competitions, making him second only to 25-goal hero Paul Onuachu on Nigeria’s top scorer’s chart.

A former youth international, Sadiq was a member of the Nigerian team that picked up a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but he has not been able to make the Super Eagles step up until now.

The three-time African champions face the Benin Republic and Lesotho on March 27 and 30, respectively, as the Gernot Rohr-led side aims to qualify for the 2022 African Cup of Nations.

While on that international duty, Sadiq will likely miss Almeria’s Liga Smartbank matches against Leganés and Málaga.

Franco-German tactician Rohr is expected to officially announce the 23-man list of players for the Afcon qualifying engagements in the coming hours.