Siasia Won’t Gamble Iwobi Against Gabon

NOT ready to take a risk, Chief Coach of Nigeria U-23 men’s football team, Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia, may have decided to exclude Arsenal starlet, Alex Iwobi, in the line up for Saturday’s first leg of the 11th All Africa Games qualifiers against Gabon. The match will hold at the Stade Augustina Sibang in Libreville.

  Nigeria and England FA are involved in a tug of war over the invitation of the 18-year-old Iwobi to the Dream Team.

  The teenager, who is Jay-Jay Okocha’s nephew, was born in Lagos, but has represented England at U-16, U-17 and U-18 level before Nigeria extended invitation to him. The English FA are laying claim to him.

   Though, Iwobi is currently with the Dream Team VI in Gabon, the team’s Media Officer, Timi Ebikagboro, said in a short response to series of messages from journalists Friday who wanted to know the eligibility of the player for today’s game, saying that he (Iwobi) would not be dressed.

   “My oga’s, I am here to serve you all as your faithful servant, so the pleasure is mine if you think I have done justice to your question. So guys worry not your heads, Iwobi will not even be dressed tomorrow (today),” Ebikagboro said.

  Meanwhile, Siasia has charged his wards to go all out for victory against their Gabonese today. He said yesterday that from the calibre of players at his disposal, he was not expecting any thing less than an outright victory today. “Nigerians expect nothing short of victory from you come Saturday (today). You should have in mind that you are the next generation of Super Eagles players, but for Nigerians to accept it, you must show that on the field of play. That is the only way you can convince the nation that you have what it takes to take over,” Siasia charged the players.

  He appealed to the players to play to instructions, urging them not to bother about what the Gabonese throw at them.

   Siasia reminded the players that Nigeria did not qualify for the football event of the last All Africa Games, and as such, Nigerians will not entertain any excuse from them if the team fails.

 Denis Dembele from Cote d’ Ivoire is the centre referee for the match and he will be assisted by three other fellow country men. The Match commissioner is Agrah W. K from Ghana.