Nigeria: Siasia Sacks Obafemi From Eagles

Babajide Komolafe

29 April 2011

Eagles’ coach Samson Siasia has declared that there would be no room for national team players who are not holding down regular appearances with their respective clubs.

Siasia who returned from his brief sojourn in Europe last weekend, noted that he is seeking to apply the standards used by managers who want results, adding that the move was meant to ensure high productivity by the Eagles in their up coming campaigns.

“The only criteria for making the national team is to be playing regularly for your club. This is the golden rule we will apply it,” said the coach.

Perhaps players like Obafemi Martins, Daniel Shittu, Chidi Ordia, Elderson Echejile and others might have reached the end of their international careers, with this new posture.

Obafemi played his final game of the season in Birmingham’s surprise win over Arsenal in the Carlin Cup final where he scored the winning goal. The striker has not kick a ball since then having picked up groin and hamstring injuries.

Siasia is expected to reveal his list for the African Nations cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, the ‘Presidential inauguration match’ and the Argentina friendly next week after meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee to review his tour of Europe.

The Eagles will play an African opponent on May 28 to herald the inuguration of the President Goodluck Jonathan. On June 1 they will face Argentina and then finally play Ethiopia on June 4.

AllAfrica – All the Time