AFCON Update: Sadiq Umar pulls out, to be replaced by Paul Onuachu

Nigeria's AFCON challenges: Umar injured, Peseiro doubts, tough group matches ahead.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria pose for a picture on their way to Ivory Coast for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. (Photo credit: TheNFF)

As the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend in Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been dealt another blow with Sadiq Umar pulling out due to injury.

The Real Sociedad striker became the third player to be ruled out and subsequently replaced after Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface pulled out earlier in the week. This leaves Nigerians worried, considering recent friendly results.

Royal Antwerp midfielder AlHassan Yussuf replaced Leicester City maestro Ndidi, while Terrem Moffi was invited to replace Boniface. Although things are a bit sketchy about Umar’s replacement, word on the street is that Paul Onuachu is the man to step in for the Real Sociedad man.

What are the chances for the Super Eagles at the tournament? The three-time champions head for the continental championship on the back of horrible results, including back-to-back draws in the World Cup qualifiers and a 2-0 friendly loss to Guinea at the start of the week.

Coach Jose Peseiro doesn’t inspire confidence; he lives in denial after every game, and Nigerians have their hearts in their mouths going into the tournament. From style of play to team selection, Peseiro has proven to lack what it takes to deliver; you wonder why he’s still at the helm.

The NFF seems to have risked AFCON with Peseiro in charge; draws against African football minnows like Lesotho and Zimbabwe were enough reasons to show him the exit door, but they extended his contract, albeit on reduced wages.

Nigeria plays Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14th, before squaring up with tournament hosts Ivory Coast and then Guinea-Bissau on January 22nd. On paper, the Super Eagles should be just fine, but permutations may start as usual if Nigeria doesn’t win the opening game