2023 Africa Cup of Nations: Sadiq Umar drops out of Nigeria squad due to injury; Paul Onuachu called up

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has named Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu as a replacement for injured Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar, who has been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Umar reportedly suffered a knee injury in Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Guinea in a friendly game in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Onuachu was initially named in Nigeria’s provisional 40-man squad for the AFCON but failed to make the final cut.

In a post on X on Friday, the Super Eagles announced the replacement.

It reads: "Sadiq Umar is out of the AFCON 2023 squad due to injury; Paul Onuachu replaces him.”

Umar is set to return to his Spanish base for further assessment.

The Super Eagles will kick off their quest for a fourth AFCON title and will take on Equatorial Guinea in their Group A opening game on Sunday, January 14th, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire on January 18 and Guinea-Bissau on January 22.

Source: Vanguard Nigeria