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Umar Sadiq's invitation to the Super Eagles has divided Nigerians, but the Real Sociedad forward has bizarrely defended himself.
Umar Sadiq's recent invitation to the Super Eagles has stirred up a mix of reactions among Nigerian football fans, and the Real Sociedad forward has responded to criticism in a rather unexpected manner.
Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen named a 22-man squad for the final stretch of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, which included a surprise return for Umar, despite his lack of form this season.
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Umar, who has struggled to find the back of the net with only two goals since December 2, 2023, faced scrutiny from fans questioning the rationale behind his selection.
One particular fan took to Instagram to voice their concerns, stating, “The yardstick Austin Eguavoen uses to invite players to the national team is what I don't understand."
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You invited Sadiq Umar, who has played only six matches this season for Real Sociedad. Out of those six games, four were as a substitute and he started just two. He has not scored a single goal this season.”
The fan further highlighted the exclusion of Tolu Arokodare, who has been in fine form for Genk, scoring eight goals in 13 appearances.
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The fan demanded clarity from the coach on why Arokodare was overlooked for Umar's inclusion.
In a swift response to the criticism, Umar replied in the comment section with a simple yet bizarre retort: “E pain you,” accompanied by a clown emoji.
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This reaction has sparked further discussions among fans, with some finding humour in his response while others believe it reflects a lack of seriousness regarding his selection.
Umar’s call-up comes at a crucial time for the Super Eagles, who need just one point from their remaining two matches to secure their place in next year’s AFCON tournament.
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Despite his recent struggles, Eguavoen appears to be banking on Umar's experience and potential to contribute positively during this critical phase.
As fans continue to debate the merits (or demerits) of Umar's selection over other deserving candidates like Arokodare, it remains to be seen how he will perform when called upon in the upcoming qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
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