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Super Eagles star Sadiq Umar has voiced his displeasure with the unjust treatment Nigerian players receive from supporters when they represent their nation.
Sadiq was invited to the Super Eagles 2025 AFCON qualifiers by Augustine Eguavoen despite his poor form for his club.
The forward has struggled to hit the ground running this season and has not registered a goal for Real Sociedad.
His poor form has also transcended to the national team, having scored just one goal since making his debut for the Super Eagles.
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18:59 - 16.11.2024
‘We should be patient’ - Eguavoen explains why he chose Iheanacho, Sadiq over Dessers, Akpom
Augustine Eguavoen has given an explanation for his decision to select Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho above other Nigerian forwards.
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14:29 - 16.11.2024
‘He does not want to represent his country’ - Ex-Super Eagles star slams Umar Sadiq for coming late to camp
Umar Sadiq has come under fire from former Nigerian international Duke Udi for being late to the Super Eagles' camp before their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sadiq laments about Nigerian fans
The 27-year-old has acknowledged that playing in front of Nigerian fans is difficult for both him and his teammates.
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In an interview with OmaSports TV, Sadiq said, “If things continue like this, there are lots of players that will not like to play for the Super Eagles.
“When we come to play here, it’s not about the money, it’s for the love, you understand. Where you feel is your home, they tell you it’s not.
“When you go to Europe to play, you’re loved and supported there, but when you come to your country, your people begin to ask what you’re doing and who brought you, even telling you to return to Europe.
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“Back in the day, they always told us to be careful because they won’t let us be ourselves in Europe, but now, it has nothing to do with the Europeans; we are the ones killing ourselves.
“There are some of my teammates (Super Eagles) that are down after every game we play because the fans are killing them on social media.
“Even if you don’t see comments, your name still gets mentioned. Football these days is about mentality. If you’re not mentally tough, you cannot play football.”
Meanwhile, Eguavoen has explained his decision to select Sadiq Umar for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
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