Nigeria striker Umar Sadiq is a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after suffering a suspected hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old forward started for his club against newly promoted Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and scored their only goal in a 3-1 defeat. However, the injury is expected to keep him out for a significant period and could rule him out of Nigeria’s September fixtures.
According to Analytica Fantasy, the problem is likely to be hamstring-related, with Sadiq potentially sidelined for as long as two months. The earliest possible return to action is not expected until late October or early November.
That timeframe would make Sadiq unavailable to Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle for the next international qualifying window. The Super Eagles are due to face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in their September Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign.
Sadiq’s injury is a setback for the striker, who marked his return to the starting line-up by scoring despite his side’s heavy defeat. It also leaves Chelle with one fewer attacking option as Nigeria prepare for two important qualifying matches.
The impact on the national team could nevertheless be less severe than it might initially appear. Sadiq has not been a regular member of Chelle’s preferred Nigeria line-up since the Franco-Malian coach took charge.
Chelle has a broad selection of forwards available to him, giving Nigeria several alternatives as they deal with Sadiq’s expected absence. The options include Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers and Rafiu Durosinmi.
Osimhen remains among the leading attacking choices available to the Super Eagles, while the other four forwards provide Chelle with further options for the September matches. The depth of Nigeria’s attacking group means the coach is unlikely to be short of alternatives, even if Sadiq’s injury is confirmed as serious as currently feared.
For now, the extent of the hamstring problem and the striker’s precise recovery schedule remain the key issues. If the estimate of a two-month absence proves accurate, Sadiq would not be expected back before the end of October at the earliest, and could instead have to wait until early November.
That would place the September qualifiers firmly beyond his reach and leave Chelle to build his attacking plans around the other forwards in his squad.