Sports

AFCON: Reactions Trail Sadiq Umar’s Absence After Club Match

Published

4 months ago

January 18, 2024

Users on X have begun to lament the absence of Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar, from the Eagles’ camp in the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire after he featured in a match for his club, Real Sociedad.

Umar was ruled out of the AFCON after he picked up a knee injury in Nigeria’s 2-0 friendly defeat to the Syli Stars of Guinea.

As contained in a statement on Friday, which was posted on X by the official Super Eagles account, it was announced that another Nigerian forward, Paul Onuachu, will replace Umar.

“Sadiq Umar is out of the AFCON 2023 squad due to injury and Paul Onuachu replaces him,” it tweeted.

However, a video of Umar training individually in Spain after his return, circulated on social media, leading to criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Umar had featured in the club’s 2-0 win against Osasuna in a Copa del Rey encounter on Wednesday where he played for 18 minutes.

Responding to the situation, the NFF’s communication department in a statement released on Tuesday noted that Umar’s case was professionally handled by the medical team, thereby, denying allegations of negligence and unprofessional conduct concerning the withdrawal of Spain-based forward.

Reacting to whether Umar had faked his injury or whether the NFF was negligent and/or political in replacing the player, a user, @A__yabo, tweeted, “I don’t want to believe Umar Sadiq’s case is a wrong assessment from Nigeria’s medical team, it looks like a case of bigotry and politics.”

Another user, @Nwafresh, wrote, “Inside these two scenarios, one of it is true about Umar Sadiq. 1. He faked his injury in collaboration with the Super Eagles medical team for him to go back to Real Sociedad. 2. Our medical team don’t know what they’re doing.”

@Danbatta_1, tweeted, “Umar Sadiq didn’t fake his injury. He insisted he can play at the AFCON as his injury wasn’t that serious, but the management and the medical team decided to replace him with Paul Onuachu. Yesterday, he played for his club Real Sociedad. Shame to the Management.”

@Ik007John, wrote, “Umar Sadiq is a totally different player from Osimhen. I wonder why the coach allowed him to leave camp when he can bring a different approach to his tactics. Shame.”

A tweep, @Auta_Musa_, had a different view.

He wrote, “Aribo overhyped. Chukwueze overrated. Paul Onuachi Overrated Iwobi Overhyped. Victor Osimhen overhyped. Umar Sadiq who is underrated appears to be the game changer against Osasuna last night, but then the management decided to remove him from the squad base on false medical report. We keep on telling you that Sadiq is better than all the Super Eagles attackers but out of hatred you were busy insulting him for leaving the #AFCON2023.”

@mhis_blessing, stated, “All of a sudden UMAR SADIQ haz become important in the Super Eagles. I thought y’all never liked him.”

Sports

EPL: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

Sports

PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

Sports

Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Pep Guardiola has said he has intention to leave Man City after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and sixth in seven years, on Sunday.

Phil Foden scored twice as City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to edge out Arsenal by two points and deny the Gunners a first league title in 20 years.

“When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way,” said Guardiola.

“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that,” added the 53-year-old.

Guardiola has now won 15 major trophies in eight seasons as Man City manager and could add another in the FA Cup final next weekend.

The Catalan has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and said he intends to see out at least one more year in Man City.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying after eight years. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk.”