Sadiq Umar: NFF’s Medical Team Under Spotlight for Wrong Diagnoses

 *Sociedad list the “injured” Nigerian for Copa del Rey clash with Osasuna tonight

The last-minute withdrawal of Sadiq Umar from the AFCON 2023 squad of the Super Eagles has continued to trend for wrong reasons following reports that his Spanish LaLiga team, Real Sociedad,  have listed the forward for tonight’s Copa Del Rey clash with Osasuna.

Umar was decamped at the weekend in Abidjan after NFF’s medical team ruled him out of the tournament with swollen left knee and was replaced by Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu.

However, barely 24 hours after the gangling forward reached Spain, he was spotted in a trendy video, training alone at Sociedad ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash with Osasuna. Umar didn’t show any sign of injured knee as he trained vigorously.

Several users of the social medial dragged the NFF’s medical team for wrong diagnosis and called for proper investigations of why Umar was decamped .

But in s statement put out midnight on Monday, the NFF explained the circumstances leading to Umar’s exit from Eagles Abidjan camp.

“The camp of Nigeria’s senior men football team, Super Eagles has decried reports in sections of the media that have continued to garnish the medical case of Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar with conspiracy theories, incorrect assumptions and unbecoming insinuations.

In the statement released by the Communication Director of the federation, Ademola Olajire, the NFF stressed: “The camp has released a statement with regards to how the player was withdrawn from Nigeria’s squad for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire.

“We are surprised at the news trending on social media concerning Sadiq Umar and how he was withdrawn from the team camp.

“The fact is that our medical team meticulously abided by the best medical procedures and were diligent in their processes and conclusions before advising Head Coach José Peseiro that the player be withdrawn from the squad.

“The player, Sadiq Umar, was okay when he arrived at camp; he had to undergo the standard pre-competition medical assessment and he was good. He started to train with the team.

“Unfortunately, he copped an injury on the back of his left knee during our friendly match against Guinea in Abu Dhabi on 8th January, which led to a penalty against our opponents.

“The medical team advised that he substituted, as a cautionary measure, but he said he was fine and could continue the game. At half-time, he said he reiterated that he was good to continue playing, and he played the entire 90 minutes.

“However, the following day, he woke up to see the knee swelling, and the medical team had to apply ice which is the normal thing. The same day, we had to travel to Lagos and on the 10th of January, flew to Abidjan. Then, the swelling became worse,” concludes the NFF statement.

The matter may take a different dimension should Sadiq Umar plays all 90 minutes for Sociedad tonight.