LaLiga: Sadiq battles Daiz, Ruibal for December’s goal award

Real Sociedad forward, Umar Sadiq is among the three players nominated for LaLiga Goal of the Month award for December. Also in contention for the award are Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Real Betis’ Aitor Ruibal.

READ ALSO: Umar Sadiq Scoops Spanish Second Tier’s Player Of The Month

Sadiq returned to full action after he missed most of last season due to injury but he got off the mark November 26 when he scored a superb effort from 25 yards to help Real Sociedad record a 2-1 win over Sevilla.

The strike was his first goal for Real Sociedad since September 3, 2022.

Sadiq was included in Jose Peseiro’s 41-man provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and barring any last-minute decision, the former Almeria star is expected to make the final squad list for the tournament.

He is expected to compete against the likes of Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Cyriel Dessers, Emmanuel Dennis, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu for a place in the final squad.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has backed Sadiq to be crucial for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The AFCON kicks off in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11 with the Eagles drawn against the host Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Group A of the tournament.

Siasia believes Sadiq is the man Peseiro should build his strike force around at the tournament.

“Sadiq (Umar) is very good,” Siasia told the Africa Interviews.

“They need to give him a chance and give him the kind of confidence he needs. Then he’s going to surprise. We see him playing in his club and he’s doing very well. He can do the same thing here (with the Eagles team).”

Punch/MTO