According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Nigerian forward Sadiq Saleh has earned a call-up to the Nigeria U-23 national team following an outstanding goalscoring season in Latvia, where he has reportedly scored 26 goals in 25 appearances for FK Metta.

The 20-year-old striker's invitation has attracted attention because he currently plays in the second division of Latvian football. However, his impressive performances have reportedly convinced national team coach Eric Chelle to give him an opportunity ahead of the U-23 AFCON qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Saleh's goalscoring contribution has been particularly important to FK Metta, with his performances helping the Latvian club secure promotion. His ability to consistently find the back of the net reportedly made him stand out during the search for additional attacking options for Nigeria's team.

The report further indicated that a compilation of his goals was presented to Chelle, allowing the coach to assess his attacking qualities. His invitation also came amid uncertainty surrounding the possible inclusion of another Nigerian youngster, Uchenna Ogundu.

Born on May 18, 2006, Sadiq Saleh is a Nigerian centre-forward who stands approximately 1.80 metres tall and favours his right foot. Although primarily a striker, he can also operate as a second striker or play from the left wing, giving him flexibility in attacking positions.

His journey in Latvian football began before his move to FK Metta in March 2025, having previously featured for Skanste's youth team. Since joining his current club, he has continued to develop his reputation through consistent performances in front of goal.

His achievements have also received recognition from the Latvian Football Federation. In August 2026, Saleh was named the LVBET League Player of the Month for June/July, marking his second consecutive monthly award.

During the period covered by the recognition, he scored nine goals in four of FK Metta's five matches. He had also registered 15 league goals in 16 appearances, demonstrating his remarkable scoring consistency.

Another notable performance came in July 2026 when he scored a hat-trick against Mārupes SC in a 4-0 victory. That performance took his tally to 14 goals in nine league appearances.

FK Metta officially announced his invitation to the Nigeria U-23 team on November 8, 2026. His selection represents an opportunity to demonstrate that his impressive club performances can translate to the international stage.

With the U-23 AFCON qualifiers against DR Congo approaching, attention will now be on whether the young forward can reproduce his remarkable goalscoring form while representing Nigeria.