Nigeria’s head coach, Jose Peseiro, expressed surprise that striker Umar Sadiq was able to play for Real Sociedad on Wednesday, just days after being ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.
Sadiq was sent back to his club last week after reporting a knee complaint, and he was supposed to remain absent for almost three weeks, missing the majority of the continental tournament.
However, he came off the bench in the 73rd minute to help Real Sociedad defeat Osasuna 2-0 in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, which surprised Peseiro.
“I’m also confused,” Peseiro said when asked about Sadiq’s rapid recovery.
“What I can say is that I saw the report from the medical test that he’s injured and that he cannot recover in 15 days, at least, or more time.
“The report went to the club, and the club said he must come back to recover.”
Peseiro added, “I am happy that he recovered well. I’m sad that he’s not here to help us.”
Sadiq won his ninth cap for Peseiro’s side in a friendly against Guinea on January 8, as the country prepares for this year’s AFCON in Ivory Coast.
However, following an injury setback, it was determined that he would not be fit enough to compete in the tournament, and he was replaced in the team by Southampton forward Paul Onuachu, who is presently on loan at Turkish club Trabzonspor.
But Sadiq has made a remarkable recovery and was on hand to help Sociedad advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s opening group encounter against Equatorial Guinea ended in a disheartening 1-1 stalemate on Sunday.
They return to action this evening, taking on tournament hosts Ivory Coast.
