The jury is still out on whether Umar Sadiq can cut it at international level despite opening his account for the national team after only 81 minutes of action combined in three games.
The Almeria star looked a shadow of himself in his first two games against Egypt and Sudan after coming off the bench, so much so that the Nigerian press and Super Eagles fans were critical of him.
Manager Augustine Eguavoen didn't exactly help matters to build up the striker's confidence by openly criticizing the former Roma starlet at every opportunity during his press conferences.
Sadiq acknowledged that the interim Super Eagles boss has been trying to encourage him and Kelechi Nwakali the most being their first major tournament with the Super Eagles.
On what Eguavoen has been saying to him, Sadiq told NFF TV : "The coach is trying to help everyone of us most especially me and Nwakali, this is our first call-up to the Super Eagles and we are just trying to put ourselves more into the group with humbleness.
"I want to learn more, it is a special feeling for me being with these lads."
Sadid was relieved to score his first senior goal and explained why he trusted his abilities even after fumbling away a couple of chances.
"It's not an easy game, every game in this tournament is hard, and they came out to give everything.
"It's a special moment for me and my family and thank you for supporting us and keep supporting the Super Eagles.
"It's a special moment for me and my family and thank you for supporting us and keep supporting the Super Eagles.
"I am calm always because whenever I'm playing I have one chance I know the second one will come, the third one will come. I just have to keep being me and believing in myself," he added.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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