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AFCON 2023 Exclusive: Did Nigeria missed Victor Boniface and Umar Sadiq?
By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria are participating in the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations with somehow depleted squad following the injury-forced exit of some top stars.
With few days to the tournament proper, duo of Wildred Ndidi and Victor Boniface were deemed not fit to play at the tournament due to varied injuries. They were replaced by Alhassan Yusuf and Paul Onuachu respectively.
Just as the tournament was about to kick off in Abidjan, the news of Umar Sadiq’s failure to recover from a knock and will be missing tge AFCON went viral. He has since been replaced by Nice’s striker, Terem Moffi.
Fortunately, the fear of many Nigerians about who will fill the vacuum left by Ndidi was quicky banished with Yusuf stepping in and performed beyond expectations.
While the midfield’s concern was dealt with, the attack of the team is still having some challenges.
The Super Eagles failed to make their chances count against Equatorial Guinea as they were able to score one from many created.
Osimhen was the only available striker for the match with Onuachu arriving late for the match and was handed a cameo outing while Moffi was still settling down.
With the profligacies of the team, is it safe to say the Super Eagles are missing the services of both Boniface and Sadiq?
It may not be far from the truth as either of the duo, notably Boniface, could have helped the team against the Nzalang.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker has established himself as a mainstay in Super Eagles since making his debut in 2023.
He has formed a better partnership with Osimhen and added more bites to Eagles’ attacks.
For Sadiq, the Real Sociedad’s forward has always being fringe player in the national team and has not really commanded a first team shirt. He’s fourth in Eagle’s pecking order with Osimhen, Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of him.
His absence wouldn’t have caused much worry for Jose Peseiro but Boniface would have added more force for the team.
It is expected that the duo of Onuachu and Moffi will give a needed backup for Osimhen when needed as it was clear that the Napoli’s striker could not be completely relied on if Nigeria need to go farther in the competition.
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