Umar Sadiq, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen were the strikers originally included in Jose Peseiro’s AFCON 25-man list.
Super Eagles coach, Jose Vitor Peseiro, has expressed his shock at the quick recovery of Sadiq Umar after the Sociedad forward picked up an injury in the Nigerian camp, Soccernet.ng reports.
Umar, 27, reportedly picked up an injury in the friendly game between Nigeria and Guinea as both sides prepared to put on a show for their home crowd at the AFCON tournament, held in Ivory Coast.
Prior to the first game, Sadiq was absent from the team training, raising a few eyebrows before it was confirmed that the Real Sociedad striker had inflammation in his his knee and would take him at least three weeks to return to full fitness.
The injury ruled the former Roma striker out of the AFCON competition, with Paul Onuachu drafted in to replace him.
Just days after the striker travelled back to Spain, a video surfaced on social media, showing the lanky striker training with his club teammates, before he was included in the team list to face Osasuna in the Copa Del Rey.
Speaking in his pre-match conference ahead of the Ivory Coast clash, Jose Peseiro expressed his shock at how quickly the Sociedad forward was able to recover from his supposed knee injury.
“I’m also confused, but what can I say. I received a report from the medical team and was told he cannot recover in at least fifteen days. The club insisted he returns for his recovery and we had a meeting with the player and the staff,” the Portuguese tactician said.
The uncertainty concerning the length of the injury forced Peseiro told replace Sadiq, but the coach is sad at the absence of the former Almeria man.
“The player wanted to stay, and I wanted him to stay but on the last day, we had to make a choice and we chose to replace him. I’m happy because he’s recovered well and sad because he’s not here to help us,” the 63-year-old added.
Nigeria take on Ivory Coast tomorrow at the Stade Olympique Ouattara as two favourites for the tournament clash in the Group A fixture.
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