By Milcah Tanimu
Sadiq Umar’s injury setback during the Super Eagles’ pre-Africa Cup of Nations training camp has proven more severe than initially anticipated, leading to the Real Sociedad centre forward being sidelined and ruled out of the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast, as reported by allnigeriasoccer.com.
The Nigeria Football Federation has officially confirmed Sadiq’s withdrawal from the Africa Cup of Nations roster, prompting Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro to call up Southampton loanee Paul Onuachu as his replacement.
Sources indicate that Sadiq sustained a knee injury during the Super Eagles’ friendly match against Guinea, forcing him to miss the team’s initial training sessions in Abidjan.
Having previously suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in September 2022, sidelining him for the rest of that season, the former AS Roma and Rangers player had made a successful recovery before the start of the 2023-2024 season, participating in 22 games and scoring two goals.
Onuachu, initially part of the provisional roster, has now been elevated to the main squad just two days before Nigeria kicks off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea. The tall striker has been in excellent form during his loan spell at Trabzonspor, boasting nine goals and three assists in fifteen Super Lig games.
This marks Onuachu’s second Africa Cup of Nations appearance, following his debut in the 2019 edition in Egypt, where he played in three games.
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