Nigeria Olympic team are set to depart the country for an invitational tournament in Seoul, Korea, by May 29 as coach Samson Siasia has decided domestic league players will no longer be released for mid-week games.
“we have barely two weeks to prepare adequately because we are traveling to Seoul on the 29th of May for that competition that will have in attendance other teams that would be going to the Olympics.”
The coach has therefore declared that from Monday, May 9, he will no longer release any player from training camp to play for their clubs during Nigeria Professional Football League mid–week matches.
Speaking after Tuesday’s training at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, coach Siasia noted that he barely had enough players in camp to start real preparations for the Olympics, which is barely three months away.
“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,” he said.
“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 who 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.”
Siasia further disclosed he will soon release the names of foreign-based professionals expected to be part of the preparation, saying he has delayed announcing their names because he has not been able to get assurances from their clubs on their release for the Games.
