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Nigeria’s ‘Super Eagles’ Dealt Another AFCON Blow

FILE — Nigeria's Umar Sadiq, left, dribbles the ball past an Egyptian player during the African Cup of Nations Group D soccer match in Garoua, Cameroon, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

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ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST — Nigeria’s “Super Eagles” have been dealt a further injury blow ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals after striker Umar Sadiq was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee problem.

Nigerian football authorities on Friday said Saqid would be replaced by Paul Onuachu.

The West African nation have already lost forward Victor Boniface and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi due to injury.

Despite suffering from a muscle problem, 27-year-old forward Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to arrive in the Ivory Coast on Saturday.

Sadiq’s fitness has been in question due to a knee injury.

The Real Sociedad based player was officially ruled out two days before the Super Eagles opened their tournament against Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan on Sunday.

His 29-year-old replacement, Onuachu, has spent this season on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Southampton, where he has scored nine league goals in 15 starts. He last played for Nigeria in March 2023.

Nigeria will also face hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.