The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied reports circulating around on the incompetence of the Super Eagles medical team.
The medical team has come under intense criticism after Umar Sadiq was seen in a video training with his Spanish club, Real Sociedad.
Sadiq was replaced by Paul Onuachu in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup after sustaining a knee injury in a friendly against Guinea.
The 26-year-old, who returned to Spain last weekend was expected to be sidelined for three weeks.
“The camp of Nigeria’s senior men football team, Super Eagles has decried reports in sections of the media that have continued to garnish the medical case of Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar with conspiracy theories, incorrect assumptions and unbecoming insinuations. The camp has released a statement with regards to how the player was withdrawn from Nigeria’s squad for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire,” the NFF said in a statement.
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“We are surprised at the news trending on social media concerning Sadiq Umar and how he was withdrawn from the team camp.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and were diligent in their processes and conclusions before advising Head Coach José Peseiro that the player be withdrawn from the squad.
“The player, Sadiq Umar, was okay when he arrived at camp; he had to undergo the standard pre-competition medical assessment and he was good. He started to train with the team. Unfortunately, he copped an injury on the back of his left knee during our friendly match against Guinea in Abu Dhabi on 8th January, that led to a penalty against our opponents. The medical team advised that he substituted, as a cautionary measure, but he said he was fine and could continue the game. At half time, he said he reiterated that he was good to continue playing, and he played the entire 90 minutes.
“However, the following day, he woke up to see the knee swelling, and the medical team had to apply ice which is the normal thing. The same day, we had to travel to Lagos and on the 10th January, flew to Abidjan. Then, the swelling became worse.
“Most of the reports we have seen are not a true representation of what actually happened. We have a very competent medical team who are well-trained in sport and exercise medicine and highly experienced and exposed to the most modern techniques and practices. They followed all due processes and protocol in tandem with the consultant knee surgeon that the player himself contacted in Spain, before the decision was made in the interest of the nation and the career of the player.
“As much as the medical team has refused to join issues with anyone due to their professional patience and privacy policy, we will not allow anyone to rubbish our collective responsibility as Team Nigeria to this Africa Cup of Nations championship. We reiterate that the player was carried along throughout the process, and he started his rehabilitation with the team physiotherapist before he returned to his club in Spain.”
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COMMENTS
All these plenty talk and rigmarole, yet the question is did he start rigorous training with his club immediately he joined them? In fact, the OwnGoal report said 24 hours after he left CIV. Is the video fake or old?
You didn’t debunk the report. You didn’t deny the video. You’re only reaffirming faith in your medical team, even though the fact he jumped back into training in Spain cast doubt on their competence.
Do you know that Nigeria football Association don’t have money to pay players bonuses? Why those guys won’t fake injuries! If they injured NFF will dump them
They do, now after Tinubu largesse of 12 billion to pay outstanding indebtedness to our national football teams at all levels.
Thats why I am pissed even money no gree motivate eagles.
U sure say no be chemist shop owners these men carry go AFCON
I believe he was injured truly but the coach realized he wasn’t what we needed at the nation cup ,so they used that injury excuse to send him home and invite Onuachu. Somewhere along the way Peserio realized he has made some mistakes of inviting mediocre players to camp. From the few minutes I saw Onuachu play I thunk he has got this balance despite his height more than Sadiq and Awoniyi. He is rugged and won’t be falling on the field like Sadiq.
RESPECT to you @Respect is Reciprocal you have said it all… but instead of Onuachu I’d have preferred Dessers… but only God knows what His plans are… Onuachu might be the unexpected star for the team this AFCON.
Paceiro caused everything. Invite 27 he settles for 25 .. fear of losing his bench made him quickly sign off Sadiq.
This is African football. I m sure if he survived this afcon,next afcon he wil invite 28 . Not 25 . Amunike played only one game in 1994 and he was African best same year.
Information is key . Paceiro wan come play table soccer for afcon. Sorry o
It’s obvious some things don’t add up.
This is just to show the level of corruption and incompetency in this mentally deraigned nff officials.
This is a case for EFCC. how can we spend ticket money, pay fine fees to replace an alleged injured player. so except this is a miracle of unexplained proportion, this shows how our credibility of flaunting rules with fake injuries has come to the fore. Also, how did he get selected in the first place because, If memory serves me well this guy was out for clse to 8 months and has not played much in Laliga
This is a case for EFCC. how can we spend ticket money, pay fine fees to replace an alleged injured player. so except this is a miracle of unexplained proportion, this shows how our credibility of flaunting rules with fake injuries has come to the fore.