In the lead-up to the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Nigeria encountered yet another setback as Real Sociedad striker Sadiq, grappling with a knee injury, had been in doubt for some time, and just two days before Nigeria’s tournament opener against Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan on Sunday, he was officially ruled out.
Adding to the injury woes, as striker Paul Onuachu withdrew from the competition due to a knee ailment, according to officials’ announcement on Friday.
Forward Victor Boniface and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi had already departed from the Nigerian squad due to injuries, while attacker Kelechi Iheanacho was set to travel to Ivory Coast on Saturday, dealing with a muscular issue.
The absence of Onuachu, a 29-year-old who spent the season on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Southampton, comes as a blow. Despite his impressive record of nine league goals in 15 starts, the striker last played for Nigeria on March 20, 2023.
Nigeria’s journey in the tournament will see them facing hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in Group A, with aspirations to secure their fourth AFCON title. The Super Eagles now find themselves navigating a challenging path in Ivory Coast with key players missing due to injuries, adding an extra layer of complexity to their quest for glory.
