Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi, has said he turned back Lobi Stars Bassey Ezekiel, because he came to camp late, even after his club has released him early for the national assignment.

Keshi gave the insight into what transpired while speaking with Sports Writers in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ezekiel came to camp only on Tuesday night and was promptly told by Keshi to return to his club as there was no room for late-comers in the run-up to the Afcon 2013 championship.

According to sources, the pleas of the players did not receive favourable responses because officials of his club in Makurdi told the technical crew that he had been released early and should have been in camp.

"We are trying to build a very disciplined squad for the Nations Cup and we are a bit surprised that an home based player who is making a first appearance will decide to report late when even his mates who have stayed over a year with us still respect arrival dates.

"We can't condone that and we hope when next he gets an opportunity he will know that time is of essence",Keshi lamented.

The player has since left the Bolton White Apartment camp of the team for Makurdi.