Segun Oduduwa, Stanley Dimgba and Usman Muhammed were on Monday barred from the Bolton White Apartment camp of the team for reporting late to the U-23 team without permission. The players were listed in the U-23 squad preparing for the international friendly match with Brazil before being invited for the AFCON matches.
The trio reported late to the U-23 camp and Siasia, who is also the substantive handler of the Olympic team, said he would not condone such poor attitude from his players. Siasia said the assignment on hand against the Pharaohs of Egypt was for serious-minded people, not those who take things with levity.
He said: “We cannot have those three in camp anymore. This is a very serious business and only serious-minded persons can be involved. They reported late to the camp of the U-23 team, so they cannot be tolerated in the senior team.
“I have said it over the past few days that the right mentality would count big among the traits we are looking for in the players to feature against Egypt.” As at press time on Monday, 16 players are in camp including Mathew Etim, Ikeckukwu Ezenwa, Chima Akas and Kalu Orji, preparing for the first training session with Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike and Salisu Yusuf in charge.
Others like Enyimba goalkeeper, Femi Thomas, Abia Warriors’ defender, Austin Oboroakpo, and all the Kano Pillars players were already on their way to Abuja to meet up with the first training session scheduled for 4pm on Monday (yesterday). Enyimba’s midfielder, Ezekiel Bassey, also told our correspondent that he would be joining his colleagues on Tuesday (today) making him the only exception.
Although the resumption date was supposed to be Sunday March 6, the involvement of most of the players in Week Five Nigeria Professional Football League matches necessitated the shift. Speaking to New Telegraph, CHAN Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Ezenwa, was optimistic of a good turnout.
The Sunshine Stars goalkeeper said: “We understand the task at hand and that’s why I came to camp immediately I was excluded from the team that played against Abia Warriors on Sunday.
“I have been talking with some of my team mates on the telephone, and we want to give it our all and make it difficult for the technical crew to drop any of us for the foreign-based players.”
