La Liga
Umar Sadiq: Nigeria striker opens account with Valencia in Copa del Rey win

By Wale Mustapha
Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq has opened his goal-scoring account for Valencia, netting in their 2-0 victory over Ourense FC in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Sadiq, who joined Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad in January, scored the second goal with twelve minutes remaining, securing the win for his side after Francisco Carmona’s own goal had given Valencia the lead.
The Super Eagles forward had earlier come close to scoring in the 65th minute, but his shot struck the post.
The 26-year-old started the match and was substituted for Pablo López after a solid performance that helped Valencia progress to the next round of the competition.
Sadiq joined Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022 after an impressive spell at Almería, signing a contract through to the 2027–28 season.
His debut goal came just two days after completing his move to Sociedad, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid.
However, his time in Spain has been marred by a long recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained against Getafe, and he has struggled for consistent playing time, often playing second fiddle to Spanish striker Mikel Oyarzabal.
The goal against Ourense FC is a positive step for Sadiq, and it will likely boost his confidence as he looks to regain his form and make a significant impact for Valencia in the remainder of the season.