SUPER EAGLES

'It breaks my heart'- Sadiq Umar bemoans tribalism from fans

Niyi Iyanda 11:24 - 11 March 2022

Super Eagles and Almeria striker Sadiq Umar is unhappy with the ethnic bias that fans use to look at the national team

Umar Sadiq has slammed his critics, who he insists are trying to divide the Super Eagles along cultural and tribal lines.

Almeria forward Umar Sadiq has lamented the deep tribalism that Nigerians use to view the game. In an interview with Omasports, Umar stated that some of his critics believe he is only in the national team because he is from the northern part of the country.

Umar scoffed at critics who claimed his 'connections' helped him earn a spot on the national team, adding that if he did use his connections, his career would have advanced much further.

“People say I am in the national team because I am from the north, I laugh because if I truly wanted to use my connections, I would have been in the national team long ago," Umar said.

Sadiq Umar celebrating his lone AFCON goal with his Super Eagles teammates

The towering striker added that the deep tribalism that taints the Nigerian game saddens him, and he believes the media ought to play a bigger part in curbing the issue.

“I am sad that Nigerians have turned the national team to tribal war. People support players based on their tribe, and it breaks my heart.

"Even the media have caused a lot of problems. When you like a player, you praise him over the others, and it is not good", the Almeria forward said.

Whoever claims Umar is in the Super Eagles scouting pool due to his tribe has clearly not bothered to follow the striker's season so far.

Almeria's Sadiq Umar has been nominated for February's player of the month

Umar was nominated for February's player of the month following an impressive five-goal haul in that month alone.

The 24 year old has been in decent form for his club this season, bagging 14 goals in all competitions for Almeria.

With a crucial two legged World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month, Umar will be looking to continue his current hot streak in order to silence his doubters.