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Tag: Sadiq Umar

  • Sadiq pledges goals for Valencia ‘s LaLiga survival

    Sadiq pledges goals for Valencia ‘s LaLiga survival

    Though  yet to register a  goal  in seven  La Liga  matches  in the on-going campaign,  Nigeria international Sadiq Umar  has promised to score goals  for relegation-threatened  Valencia  after making  his loan switch from Real  Sociedad .

    Valencia  on Saturday  completed the first transfer of the Carlos Corberan era with  Sadiq arriving on loan after  an injury-plagued  time at Real Sociedad   where he scored just three goals last season.

    As part of the agreement for the 27-year-old striker , Valencia reportedly  have a purchase clause of less than €10m this summer with the club also paying a €1m loan fee.

    Valencia have scored just 17 goals from 18 league games this season and Corberan will be hoping Sadiq can turn that form around.

    Read Also: Maresca bemoans poor Chelsea finishing in tie against Palace

    “As a striker, what I want is to score goals and get the best results possible,”  Umar  stated in his first official presser  even as  he lamented his  torrid time at  Real Sociedad. “All players need continuity and I haven’t had that at La Real. Coaches make their decisions, which I respect, but I have to keep moving and I hope to do my best. I wish the best for Real Sociedad too.

     “I suffered a serious knee injury. I was at my best before, but now I feel 100% physically, what I need is regular football.”

    Umar reiterated his decision to  sign for the struggling  Valencia, adding he has an insatiable  hunger  as  the  willingness of the  club  to survive their present predicament.

    He continued:  “When I started talking to Miguel Ángel Corona, I realised that there was a lot in common between Valencia CF and me, because I have a lot of hunger. I have also seen that, due to the situation of the club, there is also a lot of hunger here, and I saw this coinciding in motivation that made me choose to come here.”

    “They have been in contact with me for about three weeks now. Valencia CF are one of the biggest clubs in Spain and we are both in the same situation of hunger and growth.” =

    Valencia new coach, Corberan shocked West Brom when he departed over Christmas  and Umar  has commended  the team’s  effort despite suffering a late 2-1 loss at home against Real Madrid in his first match in charge last  Friday.

    “It is true that Valencia CF’s position at the moment is not where they normally are. Valencia CF are hungry, as was shown yesterday against Real Madrid, but we were unlucky,” he added.  “I have spoken to him and he has explained what they need from me. They need us all to fight. That is the mission: To fight for Valencia CF. The most important thing is to focus on the work by the team.”

  • Valencia count on Sadiq Umar goals to escape relegation

    Valencia count on Sadiq Umar goals to escape relegation

    Valencia will hope the goals of Sadiq Umar will help them escape relegation from La Liga this season.

    Sadiq has joined Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad until the end of the season with an option for a permanent transfer thereafter.

    Valencia are second bottom of La Liga with 12 points from 18 matches.

    They are four points from safety.

    Sadiq, 27, himself has yet to score in seven appearances for Real Sociedad this season.

    Read Also: NFF sure of  improved  Super Eagles, Super  Falcons in 2025

    He revealed why he ditched Real Sociedad to join Valencia on loan, Soccernet.ng reports.

    “All footballers need consistency [regular football], and unfortunately, I didn’t get the continuity I wanted at Real Sociedad. I understand, though—sometimes players make decisions that don’t go as planned, and that’s just part of the game. It didn’t work out for me there, but that doesn’t mean it was a bad experience. I keep moving forward and hope things go well for me here at Valencia. I wish Real Sociedad all the best,” the Super Eagles striker said in his opening club presser.

  • Abidjan duel: Latecomer Umar to miss  Cheetahs’ clash

    Abidjan duel: Latecomer Umar to miss  Cheetahs’ clash

    • By Johnny Edward

    Real Sociedad striker, Sadiq Umar, will play no part in Nigeria’s 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier against neighbouring  Republic of  Benin in today’s Matchday 5 encounter in Abidjan.

     The NationSports reports that  the lanky striker arrived late to the Super Eagles in Abidjan on Wednesday after missing his flight, completes the team’s 23-man squad for both the game against Benin and Rwanda in Uyo.

    The former AS Roma striker didn’t take part in the team’s final tactical training session it was gathered by our correspondent.

    Read Also: AFCON 2025: No mercy for The Cheetahs of  Benin , says Ekong

    Umar’s recall back to the Eagles ahead of more deserving strikers 10 months after he openly queried the competence and professionalism of the Eagles medical team when he was dropped from the 2023 AFCON squad on account of a knee injury he suffered in a pre-tournament friendly against Guinea in Dubai caused a stir.

    The 27-year-old has scored once in 11 appearances for the Eagles since he made his debut for the team.

    Nigeria need just a point to qualify from Group D, having been awarded a 3-0 walkover against Libya after being stranded at an airport in the country overnight last month – although that sanction is subject to appeal.

    One of Benin and Rwanda appears set to join them, with Libya on the brink of elimination.

  • Umar’s Super Eagles call-up steers up controversy

    Umar’s Super Eagles call-up steers up controversy

    Sadiq Umar’s call-up to the Super Eagles for 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda has generated a lot of controversy.

    The Real Sociedad striker has yet to score a goal for his club this season and his game time has been limited.

    Read Also: Vinicius Jr scores hat-trick as Real Madrid thrash Osasuna

    He has been picked by the Super Eagles ahead of Belgium Jupiler Pro League joint leading scorer Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, who has netted nine goals for Scottish giants Rangers, and Chuba Akpom, who has also been prolific for Dutch giants Ajax.

    A social media user lamented that invitations to the Super Eagles are no longer based on merit. Sadiq Umar was not shy to respond to this accusation. “E pain you”, the striker replied with emojis of a face of a clown as well as a sad face.

  • Court arraigns six suspects using graveyard as hideout

    Court arraigns six suspects using graveyard as hideout

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Monday granted N 10, 000 bail to six men who were accused of using a cemetery in Karu as a criminal hideout.

    The defendants are Sadiq Umar, Nafiu Maladi, Sani Aliyu, Danjuma Manga, Bello Idi and Sanusi Abdullahi.

    They were all charged with the offence of public nuisance, which the police said contravenes section 198 of the penal code.

    The Presiding Judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, admitted the defendants to bail. Each of the accused would provide a surety in like sum.

    He added that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and submit their drivers’ licence or National Identity cards and passport photographs with the Court.

    The police prosecutor, Mrs. Ashasim Helen, told the Court that members of the public had repeatedly reported the criminal activities of the defendants at the Muslim Cemetery in Karu.

    She said on Sept. 9, a team of Police officers from Karu Police station led by CSP Patrick Akwarandu raided the graveyard and arrested the defendants.

    She stated that during police investigation, the defendants confessed to using the cemetery as a hideout for perpetrating evil such as theft, hand bag snatching, extortion etc.

    She added that they committed the evil acts in the night and weapons such as cutlasses and knives were recovered by the police from the black spot.

    After listening to the charge, the defendants pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned until Dec. 20 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Nigerian light heavyweight Sadiq Umar set for pro debut in London

    Nigerian light heavyweight Sadiq Umar set for pro debut in London

    After a successful amateur career,Umar Sadiq will make his professional boxing debut on the Billy Joe Saunders v Willie Monroe Jr under-card at the Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday.

    Sadiq who signed with promoter Frank Warren in July will make his pro debut against Lewis van Poetsch.

    The amateur light-heavyweight boxed internationally for Nigeria and represented the country at the Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon and Azerbaijan last year.

    Sadiq, who is based in England and is a trained accountant said in a recent interview the time was right to take his boxing to the next stage and is already dreaming of the British title after being encouraged by sparring with World Champions James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders.

    “I feel that the wait has been worth it. I didn’t rush. I kept believing the right deal was going to come along and I’m happy,” The 29 year old London Metropolitan University graduate said

    “I have no doubt in my ability. As an amateur I boxed the best in the World. I haven’t fought as a professional yet, but I have sparred with world champions and never been left wanting.”

    “I think five novice level fights and then I will be ready to start knocking on British titles.”

    “With the confidence I have I believe I can achieve a lot in the professional game by winning major titles.”

    Sadiq is an alumnus of Repton Boxing Club. The London based club has over the years partnered with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame chaired by Olawale Edun, engaging boxers from Lagos in England and Nigeria.

    He recently played as fellow Nigerian-born Londoner Anthony Joshua’s double in a recent television advert.

  • Court adjourns ex- Navy chief’s fraud trial till June 14

    Court adjourns ex- Navy chief’s fraud trial till June 14

    An FCT High Court on Monday adjourned the N600 million fraud trial involving a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, till June 14.

    Justice Sadiq Umar adjourned the case after the cross-examination  of fourth prosecution witness, Mr. Abdulkadir Wakili.

    Jibrin was arraigned on May 25, 2016 on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy and purchase of a property valued at N600 million without budgetary provision.

    He was charged alongside retired Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia, retired Rear Admiral Shehu Ahmadu, and Harbour Bay International Limited.

    RELATED: Ex-Naval chief diverted N677m tranches – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that the property was purchased from the account of Naval Engineering Services Limited.

    At the resumed hearing on Monday, Wakili from Nigerian Navy Budget Office, Abuja, testified and presented the Navy budget from 2013 to 2014.

    Maikya objected to the admissibility of the document, as it was the same document presented already in the Navy Budget and that it was not admissible in law.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Abdullah Faruk, argued that the tendering of the document was in line with Section 106 (b) of the Evidence Act.

    He said that the document was approved by the National Assembly.

    Earlier, Mr Peter Ogwu, Managing Director, Peterus Nigeria Limited, the company that sold the property to Harbour Bay International Limited, testified in the matter.

    Ogwu, led in evidence by Faruk, said that the property was sold in March 2014 by his company to Harbour Bay.

    Ogwu said that all the legal documents to the property were presented to the Diamond Bank branch office manager were the money was paid in.

  • Bologna unveil Sadiq Umar

    Bologna unveil Sadiq Umar

    Nigeria striker Sadiq Umar has been unveiled as a Bologna player.

    The striker joined Bologna on a season-long loan from Serie A giants AS Roma.

    The 19-year-old, who was part of Nigeria’s squad that won bronze at the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, met the press for the first time as a Rossoblu player on Thursday at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara alongside fellow new recruit, Federico Viviani.

    “This is a great opportunity,” Goal quoted Umar as saying to the press.

    “I can’t wait to get started for the fans, and everyone.

    “I want to thank the director for bringing me here.

    “I’m thankful and I will do my best.

    “It’s a great opportunity to play with [Mattia] Destro, [Sergio] Flocarri, players who have been in the Seria A for a long time; watching them and staying near them is something I will learn from.

    “Playing at the Olympics is a high level in football.

    “Getting the bronze medal is a step forward in my career and a good feeling.”

  • Sadiq Umar to join Bologna permanently

    Sadiq Umar to join Bologna permanently

    Dream Team VI star, Sadiq Umar, will join Bologna from fellow Italian Serie A side, AS Roma on a permanent basis next season.

    An official of the player’s academy, the Abuja Football College, said Roma will sell Umar permanently to Bologna with a clause that the capital club will buy him back at a discounted price in future.

    “Discussions over Sadiq’s future have commenced and it has now been decided that Roma will sell him permanently to Bologna. But Roma have the option of buying him back at a special price should the club want to resign him at some point in future,” the official told africanFootball.com.

    Umar scored two goals in six appearances for Roma last season.

    He also recorded four goals as Nigeria won bronze medal at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  • Rio 2016: Dream Team beat Sweden 1-0

    Rio 2016: Dream Team beat Sweden 1-0

    Nigeria’s Dream Team on Sunday progressed to the quarter-finals at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament of Rio 2016 after a 1-0 victory over Sweden in Group B.

    According to reports, Sadiq Umar header in the 40th minute at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus ensured maximum six points from two games.

    For a large part of the match both sides played conservatively, but it was Nigeria who looked more threatening in attack.

    Fresh from scoring four goals last time out, Oghenekaro Etebo attempted several shots in the half — with his right foot, left foot and with his head.

    But he was unable to get the better of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Linde, who seemed well prepared for him.

    Nigeria eventually found the opener six minutes from time, when Stanley Amuzie delivered a pinpoint, curling cross in open play from the left wing which found Umar.

    The AS Roma player made no mistake, scoring with a diving header for the African under-23 champions.

    They continued their dominance in the second half, with captain Mikel Obi firing a well-driven shot from the top of the area, which was well saved by Linde.

    The Swedish goalkeeper had to be alert four minutes later when Etebo dribbled inside the corner of the penalty box and attempted a curling effort, but Linde once again saved.

    Coach Hakan Ericson used all three of his substitutes — Ken Sema, Muamer Tankovic and Jacob Une Larsson – to try and give his team a new dimension.

    But, in the end, Nigeria’s backline was up to the challenge and held on for all three points.

    On Wednesday, Nigeria will close out group play against Colombia in Sao Paulo.

    Sweden meanwhile have a must-win match ahead against Japan in Salvador if they are going to continue their Rio 2016 journey.