Valencia manager hails Sadiq Umar after match-winning goal

Valencia manager Javier Aguirre has praised Super Eagles forward, Sadiq Umar, whose goal inspired the Spanish club to a 1-0 victory over Elche CF on Sunday evening.

The Nigerian striker, who just returned from injury, scored the decisive goal at the Manuel Martínez Valero to hand Valencia all three points after coming in as a second-half substitute.

Sadiq capped off a well-executed counter-attack, showing excellent composure to get past his marker before calmly guiding the ball into the net.

Reacting after the encounter, Aguirre described the striker's return as positive news for the team.

“It's great news for everybody,” Aguirre said, according to Valencia's official website.

"We also had the chance to make it 0-2, and I don't know what happened in that move. Elche CF had their chances too. The win feels good."

The 29-year-old has struggled with fitness problems since the start of the campaign but has still managed to make a positive contribution whenever available, recording two goals in four appearances.

Sadiq had been sidelined for Valencia's previous seven league fixtures against Barcelona, Sevilla, Alavés, Real Sociedad, Racing Santander, Athletic Club and Villarreal due to his injury.

However, his match-winning contribution against Elche marks an encouraging comeback for the former Real Sociedad attacker.