Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has suggested that he is not in contention to start for Nigeria during the two-legged World Cup Qualifiers later this month.
The Almeria forward is set to battle with Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen, and Emmanuel Dennis for the striker's spot in Nigeria's all-important Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Ghana.
Osimhen and Ighalo are top players - Sadiq
Ahead of the qualifiers, Umar told Omasports that the country needs players like Osimhen and Ighalo because they have shown they are top players.
Sadiq said: "You know, both of them [Osimhen and Ighalo] are top players. They’ve already shown it. Even Victor [Osimhen] is still showing it and that’s what the country needs - players like him and also like Odion.
The 25-year-old striker alluded to Osimhen and Ighalo getting the Eguavoen's nod for the starting roles ahead of him, stating that he is 'going there to enjoy myself.'
"They give a lot to the country and I’m just trying to go there and enjoy myself with them and I’m looking forward to that," Sadiq said.
Sadiq urges Super Eagles to be 'smart and 100% ready'
The Almeria striker also advised that the Super Eagles have to be 'smart and 100% ready' both physically and tactically against the Black Stars of Ghana.
"I can see that everyone has been talking about it. In football, you have to be smart, ready tactically, physically, ready 100%. I hope we go there 100% ready," Sadiq warned.
“Even me, I’ve been thinking about it because it’s our life. I hope we go there ready and ready to give everything from the first to the second game.”
Umar Sadiq is one of the four strikers called up by Eguavoen for the clash against Ghana, getting another chance in the team after a mixed campaign at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
The Almeria forward has scored 14 goals and created nine (9) assists for his club side in the second division of Spanish league football.