The huge controversy generated over the injury that knocked out Sadiq Umar from the last AFCON has forced the Real Sociedad striker to now keep his distance from the national team.
Sadiq was ruled out of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire on account of a knee injury just before the final squad was submitted to CAF.
A few days later he was back in action for his La Liga club to raise serious questions over this decision.
But while the likes of Victor Boniface and Adebayo Adeleye closely followed the Super Eagles from their European bases during the tournament, Sadiq kept his distance.
“This was because he was mischievous,” a source close to the Super Eagles told SCORENigeria
“This was the same player who should not have made the final squad to the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon because he also got injured before the tournament.
“Then he was given the chance to be fit that it was not until the group game against Guinea Bissau he made his appearance.”
The source continued: “The circumstances were very different for this last AFCON because besides Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface was out, while the other strikers were doubtful – Kelechi (Iheanacho) and Sadiq.
“So what would have happened if for some unforeseen reasons, Osimhen could not play?”
