Jose Peseiro has called up Paul Onuacho to replace Sadiq Umar in the Super Eagles squad ahead of 2023 AFCON, MySportDab reports.
Sadiq Umar picked up a knock and had to flown back to Spain where he will be diagnosed, treated and rehabilitated. Umar is the third Super Eagles player to be axed from the tournament due to injury.
Wilfred Ndidi was the first player to be ruled out after picking an injury before joining up with the team’s camp. Victor Boniface also sustained an injury and has been ruled out of the tournament.
Replacements were called for Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface. Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf replaced Ndidi while Terem Moffi of Nice replaced Victor Boniface.
Paul Onuacho has been called as a replacement for Sadiq Umar. Onuacho made his Super Eagles debut in 2018 and has won 18 caps with the team, scoring 3 goals.
He is plays for Championship side Southampton in English second-tier but is currently on loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The 29-year-old forward hit the peaks of his career from 2019 to 2023 when he played for Belgian side Genk. He made 114 League appearances for the club, scoring 79 goals.
The Super Eagles attacking sensation hit the lows of his career following a move from Genk, who were chasing Belgian league title to Southampton, who were facing threats of relegation.
He made only 11 appearances for Southampton before being sent on a season-long deal to Trabzonspor.
Paul Onuacho will be expected to fill the void left by Sadiq Umar and partner Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles’ attack at AFCON.
