The head coach of Spanish LaLiga side Real Sociedad Imanol Alguacil has explained the situation of Nigeria international striker Sadiq Umar at the club after his return from international duty with Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Sadiq returned from international duty with Nigeria, where he represented the Super Eagles in the final round of the AFCON qualifiers, sitting out the 1-1 draw against Benin Republic before playing five minutes in the 1-2 defeat at home to Rwanda.
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He was expected to play some part for Real Sociedad in their game last weekend against Athletic Bilbao, but he was an unused substitute leading to speculation that he could be on his way out of the club in January.
Reacting to the possible exit of the lanky striker in January due to a lack of playing time , Imanol said his likely exit wasn’t connected to the decision to leave him out, rather it was due to a knock he picked up while on international duty with Nigeria, but had to play the game against Rwanda with it as head coach Austine Eguavoen battled to rescue the team from defeat.
“Well, you know that there are times when I don’t tell you things because I understand that you don’t have to know everything, but since you ask me I’ll answer. It’s very simple. He, in his last game with the national team, only played five minutes because two days before he hurt his hamstring.
“But he played that game( Against Rwanda) because the coach understands that they are losing, knowing that he has discomfort.
“When he got here I told him that he’s called up and that he’s going to play in the Copa Del Rey match and he tells me that he’s not available and he doesn’t train for the next two days.
“So, on Saturday he trains and tells me that he’s available for the derby. So, I take him but knowing that, for me, he’s not completely available and I take him out to warm up,… but more so that he can be more a part of the training than thinking about taking him out’, he explained ahead of today’s Europa League game against Ajax.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
