The Super Eagles of Nigeria did not start AFCON 2023 on the right note, with many of its fans expecting the team laden with foreign-based stars to make short work of the Nzalang Nacional.
The Super Eagles started the tournament with a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, which has left many tongues wagging about their chances of winning a fourth title.
Ahead of AFCON 2023, the Super Eagles have struggled with a spate of injuries that left the coach, Jose Peseiro, scrambling for late replacements.
Some players who missed the tournament include Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar, but recent reports suggest that Umar is back in training.
Did Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar overstate his injury?
Sadiq Umar was the last player to leave the Super Eagles camp due to injury. While some reports claim it was a groin injury, others believe it was a knee injury.
The Real Sociedad forward quickly left camp for Spain to receive treatment and possibly return to action for the Spanish La Liga side soon.
In a twist of fate, videos of Umar back in training surfaced on the internet, with many asking if the injury was enough to keep him out of AFCON 2023.
Sadiq begins his recovery process at Zubieta 💪 pic.twitter.com/ehRJq9CgZM
— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) January 15, 2024
According to reports, the injury would keep him out of action for a few days.
Some of the questions asked are, if the injury was to keep him out of action for a few days, why did he not remain in camp for the period and probably be available for the Super Eagles last group match against Guinea Bissau?
Real Sociedad posted on their X platform a video of Umar going through his paces, but plenty of Nigerians are now doubting the severity of the injury that kept him out of AFCON.
Rumours have it that Umar could be fit to return to action as early as this weekend when Real Sociedad travel to Celta Vigo for a La Liga game.
Super Eagles and the injuries ahead of AFCON
While Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi copped their injuries playing for their clubs, Umar and Victor Boniface were knocked out while in camp for the Super Eagles.
It has not been a pleasant week heading up to the tournament, as the Super Eagles have had to make last-minute adjustments ahead of their first game.
The Umar injury is the second he has had since joining Real Sociedad in September 2022. The first injury, a cruciate ligament tear, kept him out for 291 days.
🇳🇬 Sadiq Umar who was declared injured by NFF Doctors last week Saturday is currently in training with his team Real Sociedad.
According to reports, he's in line to play on Saturday….Wonder or magic?
— Baojis_media (@ojobabatundeiso) January 15, 2024
The picture looks bleak for the Nigerian side as they drew their first game against Equatorial Guinea and has a tough match against the hosts on Thursday.
Any question over the health status of any Super Eagles player should be laid squarely on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
If their doctors verified Umar as unfit to play at AFCON and allowed him to return to his club, then why question the authenticity of his fitness?
Besides, Umar has always honoured every international call-up to the Super Eagles, though he has not been a regular starter.
This article was most recently revised and updated 8 months ago
