Kano Pillars central defender, Papa Idris was the biggest casualty at the weekend as the national team’s technical crew headed by Stephen Keshi gradually zeroes in on a final list of players that will tackle Liberia in this weekend’s Nations Cup final round qualifier in Monrovia.
Idris along with eight others were dropped after lunch on Saturday, with Keshi assuring them that they should not be dejected as they will soon be recalled when the team returns from Liberia. “Just ensure that all you learnt here is not wasted and continue to feature regularly for your club side, so that we will have reasons to recall you. Many of those who are here with us now have been dropped and recalled several times”, he admonished the departing players.
The Pillars defender who has been battling a knee injury for sometimes now is joined on the sidelines by Heartland of Owerri duo of Benjamin Francis and Kabiru Umar, Saviour Fidelis of Taraba FC, Rising Stars, Henry Ezekiel, Christian Ofili of ABS Fc, Chibuzor Onyekwelu of Fame fc, Femi Ajayi of Crown FC and Rangers International’s Ogochukwu Ugonna. The players have since left the Bolton White Apartment of the team, as the 10 Europe based players invited are expected to start arriving Nigeria from Sunday evening.
SOURCE: Vanguard Nigeria
