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By Johnny Edward
The Super Eagles medical team has come under severe criticisms following the exclusion of Umar Sadiq from the team three days before the start of the African Cup of Nations, The PUNCH reports.
Sadiq was replaced by Paul Onuachu after the Eagles team doctor reportedly claimed the Real Sociedad striker suffered a thigh injury in the team’s 2-0 loss to Guinea in a pre-tournament friendly in Abu Dhabi last week.
The 28-year-old left the Eagles camp for Spanish club Real Sociedad on Saturday and on Monday Sociedad posted a video of the Nigerian striker undergoing recovery training.
In the 108-second video titled ‘Sadiq begins his recovery process at Zubieta’, which was posted on X, Sadiq was involved in shuttle races within cones, as well as being engaged in ball work, which stunned fans.
A source close to the player, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent on Monday that the Eagles doctor ruled the player out of action for three weeks after a poor diagnosis.
“It is a shame that the Eagles team doctors could not identify the injury he (Sadiq) sustained while in camp,” the source told our correspondent.
“It is so sad that a medical doctor in the team could not differentiate between a knock and a thigh injury. Sometimes we can’t blame our medics because they don’t have the luxury of the equipment these European clubs have and this shows that we are far behind in terms of medical treatment for our national team players.”
Football journalist Oma Akatugba also queried coach Jose Peseiro’s decision to allow Sadiq leave the Eagles camp in Abidjan when another player reported to camp while recuperating from an injury.
Kelechi Iheanacho suffered a muscular injury four weeks ago but has since recovered from the injury to join up with the Eagles at the AFCON.
“What I have heard shocks me,” he wrote on X.
“One player is injured but the coach waited for him and can’t even still play and another player got a slight knock and was immediately replaced and back in training at his club.”
@Ike_Chike wrote, “Our medical team cannot perform simple evaluation. The team in Spain reevaluated and discovered the player is just fine. Shame!”
Benaiah also said, “No way this is good news for the Eagles and not even at this time. Begs a lot of questions.”
Meanwhile, the media team of Real Sociedad told EaglesTracker — a website dedicated to reporting the Super Eagles news — that it Sadiq was working hard to return to full fitness after his contentious exclusion from the AFCON squad.
“The Nigerian Football Federation made the medical exam to Sadiq and you should ask them. He (Sadiq) is now working to be ready as soon as possible.
“We don’t give any potential day to return with the injuries in the club.”
The Eagles take on hosts Ivory Coast in their second group game on Thursday.