Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro stopped Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar from taking part in the training of the Super Eagles ahead of their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Nigeria will begin their campaign at the tournament on the 14th of January against Equatorial Guinea and training has stepped up in readiness for the game but without three players.
The duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi are absent in the camp of the team due to various reasons, and will only be available after the team’s first game on Sunday. Sadiq has joined the walking wounded in the team.
Yesterday he took part in training with a strap around his thigh rising up to his knees. The explanation was that he was suffering from a knock picked up against Guinea in their last warm up game.
However today when the team will have a full session he was asked to step aside by Peseiro upon his arrival to join the rest of his teammates, bringing doubts on his availability for the opening game and possibly the tournament.
It is believed that he was asked to step aside on precautionary grounds but he will have to see the medics later today before a decision will be reached on his inclusion in the team for the game.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
