SCORENigeria takes on gangling striker Sadiq Umar, whose goals are pushing ambitious UD Almeria back to La Liga, in this engaging interview.
The full interview:
SCORENigeria: Sadiq Umar you have already taken football in Spain by storm with six goals and three assists with promotion hopefuls UD Almeria thus far. What do you have to say about this record?
SADIQ UMAR: I have to thank God for the opportunities I have got in life and also in football. As a footballer you dream of reaching the highest level.
Last season, I played in the UEFA Europa League and this year I am in the Spanish second division. But Almeria are a team with a big budget and a big plan to return to the top league.
After promotion, this club will have no limits, I tell you.
What was the experience like to play in the Europa League?
It’s one of the top competitions in the world after the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
It was great experience to play in the Europa League with the highlight being coming up against mighty Manchester United.
We (Partizan Belgrade) lost the game at home because we were unlucky. I still remember this game and still wondering why we lost.
Almeria are third in the Segunda Liga and just outside the top two places for automatic promotion to La Liga.
Our main target is to return to La Liga and that was what convinced me to sign for them. Everyone at the club wants to go to the top league.
We belong to La Liga with our big budget, a new stadium and ambitions.
With Nigeria, you won bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. What could you still remember about this achievement?
That was my first international tournament with Nigeria. It was an honour to represent my country.
It was always a dream to play Nigeria because while I was growing up I remember watching the Super Eagles on television.
Even though I had already made my debut in Serie A with AS Roma and was even on the bench in the Champions League, but playing your country is special.
Are you ready to play for the Super Eagles now?
Nigeria are blessed with many young talents with many of them playing in top leagues.
I will just say I will wait for my time to play for the Eagles and when I get the chance, I will grab it.
I have no doubt that it will happen one day.
How did you get to Europe?
I played with Abuja Football College Academy in a tournament in Croatia and I emerged top scorer and got a deal with Spezia in Italy.
I will go on to be the highest scorer for Spezia at youth level after which I transferred to the Roma youth team, before the main team then gave me a pro contract.
You are a Kaduna boy like Moses Simon, Garba Lawal, Daniel Amokachi, Tijjani Babangida and so on. What’s so special about Kaduna and football?
That’s the Brazil of Nigeria, so many great players came from that city.
Thank you for your time Sadiq.
It’s my pleasure.
