Nigeria's Umar Sadiq enjoyed a terrific start to the season after signing for Real Sociedad, but his progress was halted disastrously by an injury sustained this weekend, while Ghana's World Cup hopes have been swelled by the sustained form of Ajax's Mohammed Kudus and the promise of Nico Williams. With Sadiq joining Victor Osimhen on the sidelines, Nigeria are fast running out of viable attacking options ahead of the upcoming international break and their friendly against Algeria on September 27.

This new season promised to be a big one for Super Eagles frontman Sadiq. After a nomadic start to his senior career, he finally settled at Almeria in 2020, and went on to average a goal every other game over the next two campaigns as the Rojiblancos fired their way out of the second tier. This season was to be his first in a major European league since 2017, and after two goals in his first three outings for Almeria, he secured a move to Real Sociedad -- and the prospect of playing in the Europa League.

A goal on his Sociedad debut -- less than 10 minutes after being introduced from the bench -- secured a point for Imanol Alguacil's side against Atletico Madrid last weekend, with the ex-Rangers man immediately endearing himself to his new club's fans. Everything was set up for Sadiq to enjoy a successful campaign, and emerge as a genuine challenge to Victor Osimhen as Nigeria's leading striker.
It wasn't just his goal that prompted adulation from the supporters, with Sadiq settling quickly and troubling the Atletico backline both by dropping deep and linking the play, and pressing up to pressure the opposition backline.
However, disaster struck this weekend, as Sadiq - making his first league start for his new club - was replaced. Former Super Eagles star Mikel Obi has wished him a speedy recovery.