By Obaloluwa Joshua
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a statement refuting allegations of negligence and unprofessional conduct on the part of the Super Eagles medical team concerning the withdrawal of Sadiq Umar from the squad for the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The NFF, in the statement, addressed the reports circulating on social media and clarified the events leading to Sadiq Umar’s withdrawal from the squad.
According to the statement, Umar was fit upon his arrival at the camp and underwent the standard pre-competition medical assessment, where he was deemed in good health. The injury occurred during a friendly match against Guinea on January 8, resulting in swelling in the back of his left knee.
The medical team advised Umar to be substituted during the match, but he insisted on continuing and played the entire 90 minutes. The following day, he experienced increased swelling, leading to a careful evaluation by the medical team. READ ALSO:
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The statement emphasized that the medical team diligently followed all due processes and protocols, consulting with a knee surgeon in Spain whom Umar had contacted, before making the decision to withdraw him from the squad.
