Nigeria: We Are Satisfied – NFF

Leadership (Abuja)

Bassey Ekpo Bassey

20 May 2011

Abuja — Meanwhile, the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have revealed that they are impressed with the list made public by coach Samson Siasia and are fully backing his decision. Siasia released the 24 man list for both the Argentina and the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, with a couple of surprises. While players like Austin Ejide, Yussuf Ayila, and Yusuf Mohammed were recalled to the squad, with two home based players namely; Ekigho Ehiosun from Warri Wolves and Chibuzo Okonkwo of Heartland FC Osaze Odemwingie of West Brom of England lost his place.

Two players, Wigan of England’s Victor Moses and Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi are on standby while Obafemi Martins of Birmingham could not make it.

Reacting to the list, a member of the Technical Committee of the NFF, Barr. Austel Elumelu, said that, the committee was satisfied with the players invited and believes the boys picked are capable of winning the next few matches they are to engage in. On the issue of the exclusion of Osaze, Elumelu maintained that the committee approved of Siasia’s actions, stating that if an errant player is not disciplined then others would use that as an example to misbehave.

Another committee member, ex-international, Victor Ikpeba, claimed that he was happy with the list and that he was sure that the team is battle ready and will execute the matches with distinction.

When LEADERSHIP SPORTS asked the national team gaffer about the absence of a creative player in the midfield and that Mikel Obi seems to have lost the creative spark, he said Mikel has not lost the creativity in him, but has rather been more defensively minded and that he was sure the Eagle’s midfield was creative enough.

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