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| Samson Siasia |
Nigeria U23 handler Samson Siasia has declared that from May 9, 2016, no player will be released to play for their clubs during Nigeria Professional Football League mid-week games.
The Dream Team gaffer lamented that he scarcely had players in camp to start intensive preparations for the Rio Olympics men’s football event which begins in August.
"I must confess that it has not been easy for me and my technical crew; a lot of the players we need to work with won’t report to camp as at when due because their club chairmen will always call me to beg that these players stay back to play mid-week games,” Siasia told the NFF website.
“I understand their plight that they need these players to do well in the League, but then we must draw a line between national interest and club interest.
“I have always built the foundation of my team on the home based players, so it is players I have at my disposal that I will work and plan with.
"So, I am appealing to all involved to please bear with us, because from next week, I will not release any player for mid-week games. If the clubs cannot release these players, then I am sorry, no matter how good these players are, they cannot be part of my plans."
He also disclosed that he will release the names of foreign based professionals expected to be part of the preparation, saying he delayed announcing their names because he has not been able to get guarantees from their clubs on their release for the tourney.
Nigeria face Japan, Sweden and Colombia in Group B of the games as they eye the gold medal.
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