Rabiu Ibrahim and three
other players have been
dropped by Nigeria
ahead of the AFCON
this month 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 the
affected players will
depart Faro on Monday,
while four other players
will be dropped on
Tuesday to give Nigeria
a final 23-man squad
for the Nations Cup.
Keshi made the
announcement after
the dinner on Sunday
and the players took it
in good faith.
"Everything is good in
camp, all players are in
good spirit. The four
players dropped took it
in good faith because of
the way coach did it,”
said Alaiya.
"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 AFCON 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
Rabiu’s late arrival and
inactivity with former
Scottish club Celtic may
have worked against
the former U17 and U20
star.
“Rabiu was outstanding
and was a true replica
of ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha if
you see him at training,
the look, the style of
play, but there are lot
of better players in the
midfield, so he has to
go,” he remarked.
“Henry Uche has a
future in the team,
while I feel sorry for
Uche Kalu as he was
involved in all the
qualifiers but the injury
knocked him out."