99 UTG on bubble of satellite 5-handed

This happened to a friend so don't have the formatted hand history and all amounts are a rough estimate. Satellite was an £11 buy-in, to win entry to a tournament costing £150 (the Goliath). 4 seats available, 5 players remain.

BB 20BBs
SB 20BBs
BTN 40BBs
CO 7BBs
HJ 9BBs (Hero)

Hero is dealt 99. Curious to know the correct play here? Hero shoved and busted in this hand.

Another friend says this is a fold, and that we should fold and wait for the smaller stack to bust, but I disagree and think this is too nitty? As we only have a slight lead over the small stack.