•Mikel John Obi Photo: Sun News Publishing

More Stories on This Section

Chief Coach of the Nigeria Dream Team, Samson Siasia, has been lambasted by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) for taking the soccer ruling body for a ride.

The FA are miffed that Siasia included banned Mikel John Obi on the list of 44 players invited for the next Olympic Games qualifier against South Africa.

Secretary General of the FA, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, who has vowed to stamp out indiscipline in the national teams, said Siasia had no right to invite the Chelsea enfant terrible without clearance from the FA. He is also angry that the coach made Mikel’s invitation public before an official statement from the Glass House.

Ojo-Oba argued that it was the same Siasia, who told the world that he would not beg Mikel to play for Nigeria so: “Why is he inviting him even when he has not shown any modicum of remorse!”

He stated that the NFA attached importance to the Olympic qualifier against South Africa pointing out that he would probably finish work on the list and make it public soonest.
“Siasia heard the suspension of Mikel Obi by the NFA, said that he could not beg Mikel to play for his country and that he does not need him in his team. But his sudden turn round to invite the player for the Olympic team is worrisome because he (Siasia) is not in a position to decide on Mikel. “It’s wrong of the coach to make the invitation of Mikel public even before his list was okayed.”

Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said it would not make public the fresh list of 44 players invited to national Under-23 camp for the Olympic Games, until a thorough scrutiny of the players’ dossier was completed.

Chief Media Officer of the NFA, Ademola Olajire, told Daily Sunsport that the football ruling body wanted to confirm the real ages of the players invited, as well as confirm their real clubs adding that Siasia must exercise patience before his camp opens.