NAC Breda loan signing from Roma Sadiq Umar has sensationally revealed he has a chance of going to the World Cup with Nigeria following his move away from Italy.
21 year old Sadiq terminated his loan deal with Torino to join the Dutch side for the remaining part of the season. He cited talks with his teammate at Roma Kevin Strootman as partly the reason why he opt to move to the Netherlands.
” The Serie A is high level, a highly regarded competition. In the Netherlands the level is not that high and that is a challenge I have to accept. I spoke to a number of footballers I know before deciding on a move to the Eredivisie including Kevin Strootman”, he told BN De Stem.
He also said in Italy he was taught on how to model his role as a top striker and be a killer in the box like some top strikers and that has helped him in Netherlands where he has a goal and assist for Breda from just 21 minutes of football since his move in January.
” In Italy I wasn’t getting enough playing time. I have to learn to become more of a killer, like Didier Drogba. Emmanuel Adebayor is another example. The play is to play same way like them in a not too distant future “, he remarked.
Jololo as he is fondly called by friends and teammates hinted at possible contact with coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr about a possible inclusion in Nigeria’s World Cup squad for the 2018 showpiece in Russia.
Although he admitted that he has a slim chance of making it and much will depend on how he performs at his present team before the coach releases his squad for the World Cup.
” There is a chance, however small, that I can go to the World Cup in Russia. That’s why I came to NAC. I have to stay fit, play and score of course. If I do that then inclusion in Nigeria’s squad to the World Cup should be possible for me “, the striker who finished as top scorer for Nigeria at Rio 2016 Olympic concluded.
Michael James
