AFCON 2023: Super Eagles suffer major blow as Umar Sadiq pulls out of tournament

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reportedly suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 with striker Umar Sadiq now set to miss the entire tournament.

Real Sociedad striker Sadiq Umar has reportedly pulled out of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast after suffering an injury in training.

It is believed that the former Almeria forward suffered a muscle injury that forced him to train individually in the Super Eagles' latest training session; however, it was later reported that the striker would at worst miss Nigeria’s opening game against Guinea.

New reports, according to X user @Mike_ThePundit have now put the striker’s recovery at three weeks, effectively ruling him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and leaving the Super Eagles short-staffed upfront, a position that should have been their biggest strength.

Sadiq will now return to Spain to recover with Real Sociedad’s medical team overseeing his recovery.

Sadiq’s condition worsens the Super Eagles’ striker crisis as Victor Osimhen is currently the only striker in the squad without injury issues. Kelechi Iheanacho has only recently recovered from a muscular injury and is expected to join the squad soon.

Terem Moffi, who is a late replacement for the injured Victor Boniface, will also join the team shortly. However, both Iheanacho and Moffi will not be available for selection in the opening game against Equatorial Guinea

The Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi has been swelling with player arrivals in preparation for the AFCON. Players like Alhassan Yusuf and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho have also arrived.

Napoli striker and African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was expected to join the camp, further bolstering the team's lineup. The team, under coach Jose Peseiro, is focusing on reclaiming glory in the upcoming tournament.