2023 AFCON: Peseiro sweating on the fitness of Sadiq pre-Equatorial Guinea; Super Eagles train 4 pm 

Allnigeriasoccer.com can confirm that Super Eagles manager Jose Peserio is sweating on the fitness of Umar Sadiq before his side's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opening match against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Scorenigeria broke the news that the Real Sociedad striker did not train with the rest of the squad Wednesday night in Abidjan - information that has been confirmed to be correct by allnigeriasoccer.com's editorial staff.

By the end of training on Thursday, things will become clearer as regards to the availability of Sadiq for Sunday's game against Equatorial Guinea. 

The Super Eagles will hold their second training session on Ivorian soil this afternoon, starting from 1600 hours at Ecole Nationale de la Police and the session will be open to the media. 

The players participated in a recovery programme upon their arrival in Abidjan on Wednesday, January 10 but today's session will be more rigorous. 

There has been talk of a striker crisis leading up to Nigeria's opening game against Equatorial Guinea with Victor Boniface withdrawing from the squad and his replacement Terem Moffi unlikely to play a part as he's expected to report for international duty on Sunday, while Kelechi Iheanacho is not match fit and has yet to join the squad. 

But there is nothing to worry about, whether or not Sadiq does not receive the medical all-clear to face Equatorial Guinea. 

Ademola Lokman has thrived in the second striker role since joining Atalanta with 33 goals involvements in 56 matches, while Joe Aribo and Ahmed Musa can be also be deployed as back-up strikers if the need arises. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com