An arm-wrestling between England Premier League club Chelsea and the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) which has been lasting for months about Chelsea's Nigerian-born midfielder Mikel Jon OBI has led to an undefinitely suspension of OBI from all the Nigerian national football teams.
Citing injury OBI refused three weeks ago to take part to the African Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda, and Chelsea sent a letter to the NFA on behalf of the player confirming he was undergoing treatment in London. Speaking on behalf of the NFA Ademola OLAJIRE told BBC Sport that "Mikel's gross act of indiscipline and lack of commitment towards national call-ups is totally inacceptable. Since Mikel prefers his club over his country, we can only wish him the best of luck."
OBI has also turned down recent calls from the NFA to play for his country's U-23 squad, so, since both Berti VOGTS, coach of the senior team and Samson SIASIA who coaches the U-23 don't need him in their squads "means his continuous invitations to the national teams is of no relevance.", added OLAJIRE. As OBI did not play against Uganda VOGTS axed him from the National Cup squad that defeated Niger 3-1 for the last match, because before the game OBI "did not show any sign of commitment that he wanted to play.", OLAJIRE said.
Samuel MBAJUM
(Source: OLUWASHINA OKELEJI, BBC Sport, Lagos)
24/06/2007 |
