Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar has been dealt a blow ahead of the 2023 AFCON, as a knee injury sustained during a warm-up game against Guinea in Dubai forces him out of the tournament.
The striker, who played in the 2021 edition, is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, prompting his return to Spain for treatment by club medics.
With Umar’s unfortunate exit, Victor Osimhen becomes the lone recognized striker in Nigeria’s squad for the Group A opener against Equatorial Guinea.
Compounding the situation, Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi are unlikely to be available for the game, as they are set to join the team in Abidjan later in the week.
The setback comes amidst discussions about the fate of Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro.
As the Super Eagles navigate the challenges, fans and football enthusiasts await updates on Umar’s recovery and the team’s performance in the upcoming AFCON matches.
Umar joins Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface, who were part of Nigeria’s final squad list for the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, but respective injuries ruled them out of the tournament.
