Knocks for Eagles’ team doctors over Sadiq Umar’s fitness
THE fitness issue that led to the departure of Real Sociedad striker, Sadiq Umar, from the Super Eagles camp at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’ivoire, is now a subject of controversy. Turn of events at his Laliga side has contradicted earlier fitness doubts, Owngoalnigeria. com reports.
Sadiq left the Super Eagles camp with what was diagnosed as a thigh injury that will keep him out for three weeks, effectively ruling him out of the tournament and leading to his replacement by Paul Onuachu.
However, in just a little over 24 hours after he left the Eagles’ camp, his La Liga club posted a video of the striker in light training, running and doing short sprints, which isn’t possible for a player suffering from a thigh injury.
The video has now raised doubts over the authenticity of the diagnosis of the medical team of the Nigerian team, particularly with further reports saying he could be available for selection on Saturday when his club take on Celta Vigo.
It will be recalled that Sadiq told Owngoalnigeria. com that he only suffered a knock and will be back in training the next day, but upon his arrival he was stopped from joining the team by Jose Peseiro and later asked to leave the camp on the advice of the doctor, who said he will be out for three weeks.
Some sports analysts have carpeted Super Eagles’ team doctors over the fitness issue surrounding Umar.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) has countered their claims. According to the NFF, “We are surprised at the news trending on social media concerning Sadiq Umar and how he was withdrawn from the team camp. The fact is that our medical team meticulously abided by the best medical procedures and were diligent in their processes and conclusions before advising Head Coach José Peseiro that the player be withdrawn from the squad.