Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar found himself at the center of a storm when he was unexpectedly ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to a knee injury, only to be spotted training at Real Sociedad shortly after.

The conflicting reports stirred controversy among Nigerian fans, the NFF, and coach Jose Peseiro. Initially named in Peseiro’s 25-man squad, Sadiq was poised to be a standout player at the AFCON, showcasing brilliant form with two impressive goals for his club just before the tournament.

However, the knee injury announcement, stating a minimum three-week recovery, led to Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu taking his place. Adding fuel to the fire, Real Sociedad shared footage of Sadiq vigorously training at their facility, raising questions about the authenticity of his reported injury.

Peseiro, standing by the information provided by the Super Eagles medical team, faced scrutiny from all sides. In an effort to clear the air, Sadiq stepped forward, emphasising that he never feigned his injury but merely followed the guidance of the medical team.

Apparently he was told by the Super Eagles medical staff that he had suffered a meniscus injury, only to get back to his club and be told it was only a bruise. Recent on-field action supports his claim, as he contributed 18 minutes in Real Sociedad’s Copa Del Rey loss to Osasuna.

As Sadiq eyes a return to the starting lineup against Celta Vigo in La Liga today, the controversy surrounding his AFCON absence leaves lingering questions about the communication breakdown between the player, the medical team, and the coaching staff.