Rabiu Ibrahim and three other players have been dropped from the Super Eagles' camp by Coach Stephen Keshi, as the squad intensify training for the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off on 19 January in South Africa.
The other players axed are Kano Pillars' defender Papa Idris, Henry Uche of Enyimba and Turkey-based striker, Uche Kalu, who is injured.
Eagles' spokesman, Ben Alaiya, announced that the affected players were due to depart the team's camp in Faro, Portugal today, while four other players will be dropped tomorrow to give Nigeria a final 23-man squad for the Nations Cup.
Keshi, it was gathered, made the announcement after dinner yesterday and the players took it in good faith.
"Everything is good in camp, all the players are in high spirits. The four players dropped took it in good faith because of the way the coach did it," Alaiya said.
"The way Keshi broke the news to the players was superb, he called the players affected aside after dinner, talked to them and told them they won't be going to the Nations Cup, but could still make it another time.
"We have 27 players in camp now and four more will be dropped tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Of the dropped players, the team official said Ibrahim's late arrival and inactivity with former Scottish club Celtic may have worked against the former U-17 and U-20 star.
"Rabiu was outstanding and was a true replica of 'Jay Jay' Okocha if you see him in training, the look, the style of play, but there are better players in the midfield, so he has to go for now," Alaiya said in a press release.
Rabiu Ibrahim, who was dropped from the Nigerian camp in Faro, Portugal last night
"Henry Uche has a future in the team, while I feel sorry for Uche Kalu as he was involved in all the qualifiers, but an injury knocked him out."
Meanwhile, some of the home-based players that could make the Nations Cup final list are: former Warii Wolves goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim now with Rangers of Enugu, who was spectacular during an international friendly match against Catalonia last week, Rangers of Enugu striker, Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunshine Stars of Akure skipper, Godfrey Oboabona.
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the list will contain only one or two northerners who may be xtains. how i wish we treat super eagles like d way we treat ASO ROCK issue. only southerners can play football in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWhat none sense are you talking about. It is unfortunate that you have brought ethnicity and religion to team selection again, but on a second thought one can actually feel that way. Pls do not worry this time, truly if we develop the game in the north and stem BOko Haram that will be good. Northern Nigeria is also full of talents to be honest
DeleteSee how shallow a person can reason. So if only †ђξ southerners are deemed fit by †ђξ coach as being able to deliver, he should just put †ђξ northerners so as to please a fool like Ɣöu.
DeleteThat's y Naija won't grow easily until we change our attitude of triballism, religious aήð ethnicity diff. We shld stop filling a round hole wt square peg. If it's Hausas that can deliver, we shld go ahead, if it's Igbos, we shld equally use them etc.
Moreover, who cares to know which tribe Nig produces in Ghana, Zambia or South Africa. All they know is they r Nigerians. But we internally will always think of which tribes are being used or which religion are they practicing. This won't take Nig anywhere.
And if Ɣöu judge by †ђξ tone of †ђξ first writer, Ɣöu will know certainly that he/she is a moslem. Moslem! Moslem!! Moslem!!!
the simple reason why Samson Siasia 's team always perform in international tournaments is because his team normally spread across. he looks for the talents anywhere in the country. Prayers do comes from every part of the country. Browse back to when flying eagles and Falcons do perform well, u will discover this fact. Tribalism/ethnicity or Godfatherlism has been in the national team not just now.
ReplyDeletePlease help me ask that person that said that "the list will contain only one or two northerners who may be xtains", how many northerners are playing in any major league in the world? Be it premier league, Laliga, Seria A etc. None. Even our local league here, how many northerners are making waves there? None. If this is true, that implies that no northerner in his right mind bring the issue of tribalism and religion to team selection.
ReplyDelete