The Nigerian striker playing for Real Sociedad expressed his frustration with the reaction from fans.
The 27-year-old had the opportunity to play in matches against Benin and Rwanda, but failed to score in those games.
The pressure from fans has been tough on him, and Sadiq pointed out that it wasn’t just difficult for him, but also for his teammates:
“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.”
“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 days, 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,”
Sadiq said, even though he had only played a very short time with the team.
