2nd September, 2012
Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles Head Coach, has dropped nine players, ahead of the final list of players that will tackle Liberia’s Lone Stars in the Nations Cup qualifier next weekend in Monrovia.
Ben Alaiya, Eagles Media Officer, in an on-line statement, said that among those dropped was Kano Pillars central defender, Papa Idris, who has been battling a knee injury for sometimes.
Others according to Alaiya, were Heartland of Owerri duo of Benjamin Francis and Kabiru Umar, Saviour Fidelis of Taraba FC and Rising Stars’ Henry Ezekiel.
Also dropped were Christian Ofili of ABS FC, Chibuzor Onyekwelu of Fame FC, Femi Ajayi of Crown FC and Rangers International’s Ogochukwu Ugonna.
According to Alaiya, the players had since left the teams’s hotel at Bolton White Apartment, while the 10 Europe based players invited are expected to start arriving Nigeria from Sunday evening.
Keshi while announcing the names of the dropped players after lunch on Saturday, assured them that they should not be dejected as they would soon be recalled when the team returns from Liberia.
“Just ensure that all you learnt here is not wasted and continue to feature regularly for your club side, so that we will have reasons to recall you.
“Many of those who are here with us now have been dropped and recalled several times,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, the national team defeated a highly impressive, Abuja Football College 4-1, with Keshi describing the amateur side as one of the best sides his team had played against recently.