Nigeria’s assistant coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, recently addressed widespread criticism over the national team’s decision to call up former Rangers striker Sadiq Umar instead of Cyriel Dessers, currently at Ibrox, for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Dessers, despite facing scrutiny for missed chances this season, has shown promising form with nine goals in 19 appearances, including a recent equalizer against Olympiacos in the Europa League.

Umar, who had an underwhelming loan stint at Rangers six years ago, has only managed a single goal for Real Sociedad over the past year, scored in March. His call-up has sparked debate, with local media questioning why a player with a limited recent impact was chosen over Dessers, who last represented Nigeria in March and is eager to add to his six caps.

Defending the decision, Ogunmodede explained that the national team’s interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen, carefully evaluated all strikers before choosing Umar. According to Ogunmodede, Umar’s experience and recent return from injury factored into the decision. “The manager has come up with a list, discussed it with us, his backroom staff, and I think they are competent and capable of representing the country,” Ogunmodede stated, underscoring the staff’s confidence in Umar’s potential contribution.