Nigeria v Egypt: Siasia wields big stick, drops three players from camp

Samson Siasia drops the hammer. Image: NFF

Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has sent out a strong message to the team ahead of the crunch Afcon 2017 qualification doubleheader with Egypt by dropping three players from the camp.
Segun Oduduwa, Stanley Dimgba and Usman Mohammed had reported late to the team’s camp at Bolton White Apartments and were barred from joining the squad by the 49-year-old coach.
“We cannot have those three in camp anymore. This is very serious business, and only serious–minded persons can be involved. They reported late to the camp of the U-23 team, so they cannot be tolerated in the camp of the senior team,” a stern-faced Siasia said.
“I have said it over the past few days that the right mentality would count big among the traits we are looking for in the players to feature against Egypt.”

Samson Siasia drops the hammer. Image: NFF

Two of the players, Oduduwa and Mohammed were in the U-23 squad that won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in December 2015, while Dimgba has trained with the team and the Eagles B previously.
This development means only 40 players are now in contention for shirts ahead of the do-or-bust cracker against the Pharaohs of Egypt, with 19 home boys to train for two weeks before the arrival of 21 foreign-based players on the week of the first game in Kaduna.
Nigeria trails Egypt by two points, with the group winners claiming the sole ticket for Gabon 2017.


Credit: Sahara Reporters