Nigeria striker Umar Sadiq is facing a race against time to be fit for the Super Eagles' AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in September, after picking up a suspected hamstring injury.

The 29-year-old sustained the problem during his club's outing against newly promoted Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday, where he scored his side's lone goal in a 3-1 defeat.

Two months on the sidelines

According to Analytica Fantasy, the injury is hamstring-related and could sideline Sadiq for up to two months. A return to action is not anticipated before late October or early November at the earliest, ruling him out of the September qualifying window entirely.

Coach Éric Chelle will therefore be without the striker when Nigeria face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures.

Chelle's striking options remain deep

The absence, however, may not prove too damaging for the Super Eagles. Sadiq has not been a consistent feature under Chelle's tenure, and the Franco-Malian tactician has a formidable pool of attacking talent at his disposal heading into the double-header.

Chelle can call upon Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, and Rafiu Durosinmi — a group that provides both experience and depth across the forward line.