AFCON 2025
Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq had an outstanding performance as Real Sociedad progressed to the round of sixteen of the Copa Del Rey.
The 28-year-old forward came off the bench to score and provide an assist as the White and Blues secured a two-nil win over Reus FCR.
Sadiq set up Mikel Goti for the opener in the 49th minute before winning and converting a 93rd-minute penalty.
The striker endured a difficult start to the 2025/2026 season with limited game time in La Liga, a lack of continental football for Real Sociedad, and an unsuccessful summer move away from the club.
The goal marks his first in 228 days, where he found the back of the net in the 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano while on loan at Valencia.
Sergio Francisco, Real Sociedad head coach, praised the striker after the match for giving the team different options whenever he steps onto the pitch.
“Sadiq is Sadiq. Whenever he comes on to play in recent matches, he brings something to the table,” Francisco was quoted as saying by AS.
“And today he brought strength, the ability to challenge, the ability to put a player in the back line who wins balls for us, who flicks them on, who always threatens the opponent, who if we get down the wings and attack the area can be a decisive player, and he was also the one who got the penalty that gave us peace of mind.”
Umar Sadiq is in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles preliminary squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The striker will compete with Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, Taiwo Awoniyi, among others, for a place in the final list.
