Nigeria’ Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar is in line to play for his club Real Sociadad in the Spanish La Liga, just few days after he was allowed to leave the national team squad due to a reported injury.
Jerrymusa.com reports that fans and supporters of the three-time African champions were left in awe after footage of Umar in training surfaced with the lanky striker said to have “dazzled”, looking as for as fiddle
NFF Response
Meanwhile, NFF has said that “Sadiq Umar’s situation was handled by our medical staff with the utmost professionalism.”
“The medical condition of Sadiq Umar, a forward residing in Spain, has been tarnished with false assumptions, derogatory remarks, and conspiracy theories by certain media outlets, which has angered the Nigerian men’s national football team, the Super Eagles.
“A statement about the player’s removal from Nigeria’s team for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals, which are now taking place in Cote d’Ivoire, has been issued by the player’s camp.
“We’re shocked by the stories that are currently spreading on social media about Sadiq Umar and his expulsion from the squad.
“The truth is that our medical staff was conscientious in their methods and judgements and closely adhered to the best medical practices in the past. Urging Head Coach José Peseiro that the player be pulled from the squad.
“Sadiq Umar, the footballer, was in good health upon his arrival at camp; he only needed to go through the routine pre-competition medical examination.
“He began working out with the group. Regretfully, on January 8, during our friendly match against Guinea in Abu Dhabi, he suffered an injury to the back of his left knee, which resulted in a penalty against our opponents.
“He was told to substitute by the medical staff as a precaution, but he insisted he was okay and could go on. He indicated he was fine to play for the full ninety minutes, and he confirmed it at halftime.
“But the next morning, when the medical staff saw the swelling in the knee, they had to provide ice, which is standard procedure. We had to leave for Lagos that same day, and on January 10th, we took a plane to Abidjan. The swelling then got worse.
“The majority of the accounts that we have seen do not accurately depict the events that occurred. Our medical staff is extremely skilled, highly experienced, and trained in sport and exercise medicine.
“They are also exposed to the newest methods and procedures. Before the decision was reached in the best interests of the country and the player’s career, they complied with all legal procedures and protocols while working with the knee surgeon consultant that the player had personally contacted in Spain.”
NFF Supported at Every Point of Sadiq’s Recovery
In addition to their professional tolerance and privacy policy, the medical team has declined to discuss matters with anyone. “We will not allow anyone to minimise our shared responsibilities as Team Nigeria in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
“We would like to stress that the athlete was supported at every stage of the procedure and that, before his return to his Spanish club, he began his recovery under the guidance of the team physiotherapist.”