THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have confirmed that Umar Sadiq is ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire (AFCON 2023) after sustaining an injury in training.

The Real Sociedad striker was involved in the team’s friendly defeat to Guinea on Monday but has not trained with the group since they arrived in Abidjan on Wednesday.

Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu has been called up as replacement for Sadiq, the Super Eagles media team announced this morning.

Sadiq joins a long list on injury-enforced absences for the three-time African champions, with fellow strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface as well as midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also unable to play in the tournament, which kicks off tomorrow.

Nottingham Forest striker Awoniyi was ruled out with a long-term injury even before the 40-man provisional squad was named, while Bayer Leverkusen hitman Boniface and Leicester City midfielder Ndidi withdrew after being named in the 25-man squad for the continental showpiece.

Boniface has been replaced by Nice striker Terem Moffi, with Royal Antwerp’s Alhassan Yusuf stepping into the big shoes of Ndidi.

The Super Eagles get their AFCON 2023 campaign off the ground on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea before facing hosts Cote d’Ivoire on January 18 in one of the standout group phase fixtures.

Jose Peseiro’s side round off the group stages with a clash against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.

The tournament will end on February 11.

PHOTO: Umar Sadiq.

 [NaijaTimes]