Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq says Nigerian football fans have not been fair to players of the national team when they represent the country.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶ ... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶
The Real Sociedad player disclosed this in an interview on Oma TV, expressing his dismay at the insults hurled at the players whenever they represent Nigeria.
Sadiq’s statement comes after Nigeria’s disappointing performance during the last phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Eagles failed to win either of their two matches and only managed to pick up a point from a possible six.
He believes that if things remain the same, many players will lack the enthusiasm to represent the national team.
“If things continue like this, there are lots of players that will not like to play for the Super Eagles. When we come to play here, it’s not about the money, it’s for the love, you understand. Where you feel is your home, they tell you it’s not,” he said.
“When you go to Europe to play, you’re loved and supported there, but when you come to your country, your people begin to ask what you’re doing and who brought you, even telling you to return to Europe.
“Back in the day, they always told us to be careful because they won’t let us be ourselves in Europe, but now, it has nothing to do with the Europeans, we are the ones killing ourselves.
“There are some of my teammates (Super Eagles) that are down after every game we play because the fans are killing them on social media. Even if you don’t see comments, your name still gets mentioned.
“Football these days is about mentality. If you’re not mentally tough, you cannot play football.”
Augustine Eguavoen’s men played a 1-1 draw with the Benin Republic at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan last Thursday to book their qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The team, however, fell to a shocking 2-1 defeat to Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday, ending their perfect home record in the qualifier.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
