Tony Ubani
14 November 2008
Amidst wide spread fear that most of the influential players of the Super Eagles are planning to turn their back on the friendly against Colombia on Wednesday in Cali, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has warned that the match is compulsory for all players and also a must win.
Vice Captain and Everton strong man, Joseph Yobo, Osaze Odemwingie, Chidi Odia, Mikel Obi, and Newcastle's Obafemi Martins have opted out of the match sending dangerous signals that other players may follow suit.
But NFF's image maker, Demola Olajire, quoting Scribe, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, warned that the match was compulsory for all invited players except for those who were not listed or those with express permission of Coach Amodu Shuaibu.
"We have always seen this as a serious match. One, we have not played a top-class friendly since the draw with Austria in the month of May. Another thing is that when you get this kind of opportunity, you go in there with your very best and prove a point, which also could have some effect on confidence ahead of crucial competitive matches.
"Furthermore, the FIFA ranking has just been released with Nigeria having climbed up five places to 22nd, and now we are third in Africa. We do not want to lose any of these gains.
"Even more important is the fact that Nigeria football has got to that junction where our people are desirous of victory in any match, whether friendly or competitive. The name of our dear country is at stake during any football match involving any of our teams.
"It is a friendly match but we will have our best players in there to go for victory", said Ojo-Oba.
Wednesday's international friendly is a rare meeting between the two countries. Nigeria lost 0-1 to Colombia in the group phase at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Nigeria have confirmed the availability of among others, Team Skipper Nwankwo Kanu, in-form strikers Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Ikechukwu Uche, Chinedu Obasi and Obinna Nsofor, as well as Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri and Dele Adeleye, and midfielders Christian Obodo, Seyi Olonfinjana and Kalu Uche.
There is also Sudan-based right back Yusuf Mohammed, as well as Beijing Olympics stars Sani Kaita, Oluwafemi Ajilore and Solomon Okoronkwo.
Super Eagles Head Coach Shuaibu Amodu, presently in the United Kingdom, will fly from London to Bogota, the Colombia capital on Sunday, the same day the other members of the technical crew will depart from Madrid, Spain.
The players are expected to gather in Madrid on Sunday for the Monday morning flight to Bogota - a flight of 10 hours, 20 minutes.
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