The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has come out to defend the medical team of the Super Eagles amidst criticisms over their management of Umar Sadiq’s injury. The Real Sociedad striker was omitted from Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after sustaining an injury in the 2-0 friendly loss to Guinea and was replaced by Paul Onuachu. Despite initially being expected to be sidelined for three weeks, the 26-year-old was spotted training with his Real Sociedad teammates in a video on Monday. This turn of events has led to skepticism among Nigerian football fans regarding the competency of the medical staff.
In response to the backlash, the NFF issued a statement asserting that the medical team handled the injury with competence and professionalism. They expressed surprise at the circulating news on social media about Sadiq Umar’s withdrawal from the team camp and urged the public to refrain from tarnishing the collective responsibility of Team Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations championship. The NFF emphasized that the player was fully involved throughout the process and had started his rehabilitation with the team physiotherapist before returning to his club in Spain.
The NFF’s statement sought to address what they called “conspiracy theories, incorrect assumptions, and unbecoming insinuations” surrounding the medical case of Sadiq Umar, reaffirming the meticulous adherence to best medical procedures by the medical team.
