According to Spanish publication, Estadio Deportivo, Almeria striker Sadiq Umar will not join up with his Super Eagles teammates on Monday, March 21 after the Spanish club reached an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation to have the player’s arrival delayed.
The Eagles are expected to report to their Abuja camp on Monday for their World Cup play-off double-header against Ghana later this month. Almeria, who are hoping to secure promotion to the Spanish topflight, have a tough clash against Tenerife on Monday, the same day the striker was expected to join up with his teammates in Abuja.
The Rojiblancos, knowing how important the Nigerian is to the team, expressed concern that Umar may miss the game.
The 23-year-old’s absence was badly felt in January while away with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon with the Spanish club losing four out of the five matches they played in the player’s absence and picking just one point from a possible 15.
However, according to Estadio Deportivo, Umar will be available for their clash on Monday.
“Next Monday all the selected ones to join their teams, but Almería had the hope of being able to negotiate with the Nigerian Football Federation to get Sadiq Umar to play the game against the Chicharreros and, after this, to be able to go to his country to defend the colours of his selection in some historical appointments,” the website wrote.
“This mystery has been finally resolved by Juan Villar in an interview with Radio Club Deportivo. The striker from Huelva has stated that Sadiq will be in Tenerife for the match and after the game, he will travel to Nigeria with his team.”
Umar has contributed 24 goals (15 goals, nine assists) in 26 games for Almeria, the most by any player in the Spanish Segunda Division.
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