Real Sociedad: Sadiq Umar wanted to stay with Nigeria, but.. he’s ready to play for us

Real Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil has revealed that Sadiq Umar wanted to stay in the camp of the Super Eagles after he picked up a knee injury in
Nigeria’s warm up game against Guinea but he was told to go back to his club.

This much was disclosed by Alguacil Tuesday at his press conference ahead of his team’s Copa Del Rey’s round of 16 game Wednesday at Osasuna.

The injury had been wrongly diagnosed to keep Sadiq out of action for at least three weeks. However, he has been passed fit for Wednesday’s match.

‘Sadiq wanted to stay with Nigeria, but they had doubts about how his evolution would go, that’s why he returned. On Monday he tested and had a good feeling,
Tuesday also with the team. He is ready to play.’

The NFF had in a press statement on Tuesday insisted the team’s medical crew what was expected of them and took the best decision in recommending that the 26
year old be replaced.

‘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,’ the NFF wrote in the statement released to the media.