Former Super Eagles forward Aide Brown Ideye, is not comfortable with the present crop of players in the national team for the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast npflupdates.com reports.
Ideye made the statement following the exit of striker Sadiq Mesbah Umar from the squad and subsequent replacement by Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu.
It was speculated on Wednesday that Umar is injured and may not be fit to play at the AFCON. But a source in the Super Eagles team told Owngoal that it’s just a lie.
“It’s nothing at all. The bandage around his knee is normal even Victor Osimhen wears one. It is protective and very popular here in camp. Even yesterday Sadiq trained with the rest of the team and not like he was isolated. He wasn’t even limping as said”, the source told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
” There is no cause for concern because he will train fully with the rest of the team. I understand why people are concerned but take it from me that Sadiq is very fine and carrying knocks is normal. I heard the players joke about how no footballer plays without pain and it’s the truth”.
However, it was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Umar Sadiq will be missing the AFCON due to a knee injury. According to reports, the former AS Roma forward, will as a matter or urgency travel back to Spain so he can be attended to by his club’s doctors.
Also read: Enyeama : I Will Be In Super Eagles 2023 AFCON Camp
Ideye talks about Super Eagles choice of 25 players ahead of 27
Reacting, Ideye who was part of the squad that won the 2013 AFCON, said it’s just “unlucky” that key players are getting injured.
“We’re just unlucky that we have most of our key players injured, that’s one reason CAF ask teams to submit 27 names because they know things like this can happen. But what we did? We went with 25, we literally shot our self on the foot,” Ideye wrote on his X handle.
Ideye claimed that Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, isn’t fit for the AFCON, but was included in the 25-man squad. A move which explained as being unfruitful, but can still be backed up by invitation of more players.
“Kelechi Iheanacho is not 100% fit they know that before submitting the list to CAF. Umar Sadiq came to the camp injured they know that. But you can still back up all this injured players by submitting 27 to 30 names some will be on standby just in case of injuries,” the former Olympiacos forward continued.
Also read: Ideye : Super Eagles Lack Discipline, Can’t Win The 2023 AFCON
“Some of this players they’re calling to join the camp don’t have nothing to offer the team, they’re there to replace a injured player so the mindset is not the same as a player on the 25-man list they submitted to CAF, so don’t expect miracles from them.”
