Umar Sadiq has described scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles as a special moment for him and his family.
Sadiq opened his goals account for the Eagles when he scored in the 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday in Garoua.
The Almeria striker had come under heavy criticism following underwhelming displays in his first two games at the AFCON 2021.
But he answered his critics after slotting home a superb pass from Kelechi Iheanacho to put the 1-0 ahead.
The win saw the Austine Eguavoen-led side record their third win in Group D.
And speaking on NFF TV, Sadiq said:”It’s not easy game, every game in this tournament is a hard game they (Guinea-Bissau) came out to give everything. For me it’s a special moment for me and my family and thank you for supporting us.”
Sadiq explained that he was always calm and knew he would eventually score once he gets the opportunity.
“I’m calm always whenever I play and if I have one chance and don’t take it I know another one will come. I just have to keep being me and believing in myself.”
On the effort by the coach to integrate him and other young players into the squad:”The coach is trying to help everyone but most especially me and Nwakali because this is our first call-up to Super Eagles.
“He is just trying to put us more in the group and with being humble and calm I want to learn more because it’s a special feeling being with this lads.”
After getting his first goal for the Eagles, Sadiq was immediately replaced.
And reacting to the substitution, the 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal winner said:”Here in the Super Eagles whenever you see yourself playing one minute you have to appreciate it.”
He went on to urge Nigerian fans to keep supporting the team as they match on to the round of 16.
He added”Keep supporting us and be patient with us and hopefully we will keep giving you the result.”
6 Comments
You did well lad. We expect an improvement in the knock out stages. Good luck.
BIG NUMBER 9, DOING IT FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
HERE IS TO MORE GOALS AND MORE WINS FROM YOU AND THE SUPER EAGLES IN THIS YEARS AFCON.
Line-ups for second round
GK- Maduka okoye
( Composure than I saw with francis uzoho)
Defenders: Ola Aina, Troost Ekong, Ajayi Samuel, Sanusi Zaidu..
(Ajayi posses a better Recovery/Arial Threat than Kenneth Omeruo, While Sanusi Zaidu kept the backline than jamiu opening space at the back and both have not given us the much needed cross from there overlapping runs)
Midfielders: Winifred Ndidi..Joe Aribo, Kelechi Nwakali
( Alex Iwobi would be a fine Substitution for (joeAribo/Nwakali) at this department for game changer)..
Attackers: Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho..
4: 3: 3
Substitution
Peter Olayinka
Samuel Chukwueze
Ahmed Musa
Alex Iwobi
Jamiu Collins
Kenneth Omeruo
O. Ndah
F. Onyeka
Am so happy for you Sodiq……More grace to your elbow…… You have just bought yourself more game time in SE.
thank god for the opportunistic goal you scored.praise god;;; but my brother you are too calm to the detriment of the team.you need to improve upon your game awareness bcos your ball ability is still in the average level only good no wonder with all your goals last season no team bought you . you really need to work on your game ;speed,stamina and precision in front of goal for this AFCON have not done your reputation any good at all.bcos of the interest engineered by press i specially took time out to watch all your play off games last season and couple with what have seen so far of you this AFCON sincerely i am yet to change my already stated opinion about you.
Sadiq Umah should not be invited to Super Eagles again cos he is too slow, lack skill, poor performance and lack d attitude and character to play for SE..Too much hype from d media. I wonder how he was preferred more than Olayinka in d starting line up..Despite d cheap goal he scored it was a poor show.. work on ur speed n ball control before coming to Eagles camp