Super Eagles star caps excellent February with top award

The Nigerian international has been a nightmare for defenders in the Spanish Segunda Division, and he has been duly rewarded for his brilliance

Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has been named the La Liga Smartbank Player of the Month of February after playing a crucial role in helping Almeria go unbeaten during the period under review.

Sadiq beat other contenders, including SD Huesca's Jaime Seoane and SD Eibar's Jose Corpar, to the Segunda Division's Most Valuable Player award.

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The Nigerian forward was always the favourite after almost single-handedly rescuing Almeria's season that was wobbling in January.

While Sadiq was away with the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Rojiblancos missed their leggy target man, claiming just one point from a possible 15.

But things changed for the better almost as soon as he returned to the club as Almeria went unbeaten through February.

Sadiq scored five goals and provided two assists in four games to power Almeria to victories in all the matches played.

The former AS Roma starlet hit the target in the wins over Ibiza and Fuenlabrada, scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 triumph at Malaga, and capped it all with an excellent brace against Mirandes (2-1 win).

The brilliant run lifted Almeria to second place on the league table behind leaders Eibar.

The 25-year-old will look to replicate his incredible club form for the national team when Nigeria trade tackle with Ghana for a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.