Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle won’t call five players who were a part of the sqaud for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the upcoming friendly games against Iran and Jordan respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Chelle will lead the team out for the games in Jordan, their first outing since finishing third at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Their participation at the tournament is however subjected to the success of their appeal against DR Congo, for fielding ineligible players against them in the world cup qualifiers playoff in November.
If successful they will quit the four team tournament and instead head for the world cup qualifiers playoff. FIFA is yet to rule on the protest with just three weeks to the intercontinental playoff.
Chelle is however not losing sleep over the decision, and has decided to forge ahead with his plans for the team regardless, and it starts with invitation to players for the upcoming friendly tournament.
We can exclusively reveal that first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali won’t be a part of the team, due to his inactivity after leaving Chippa United by mutual termination of his contact.
Centre back Semi Ajayi who is yet to be back from a hamstring injury picked up at the AFCON will also be absent from the list of players. Tochukwu Nnadi who recently moved to Marseille in the January transfer window, and hasn’t played a game won’t also be considered.
It’s the same for Ebenezer Akinsamiro who has lost his place at Italian Serie A side Pisa, where he is on loan from league leaders Inter Milan.
Usman Mohammed of Israeli side Ironi Tiberas, who failed to impress the coach at the AFCON won’t be a part of the team as well.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
