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22.12.2001
Chelsea reject Nigeria request over Babayaro
LAGOS,
English Premiership side Chelsea have refused a request from Nigeria to release defender Celestine Babayaro before January 5 as the `Super Eagles` prepare for next month`s African Nations Cup.
Nigeria, one of the favourites for the title in Mali, had wanted Babayaro to team up with their squad at a training camp beginning on December 28.
But Chelsea have snubbed the Nigerians` request, insisting the player will only be released on one week later.
"Chelsea have told us they will only release Babayaro on January 5 but we have asked them to release the player in time for our training camp," Dominic Oneya, chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
This week Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu visited London to talk with the English clubs of both Babayaro and Nwankwo Kanu over the release of the players in time for the Nations Cup.
Arsenal forward Kanu has already said he will feature at Mali 2002 despite his club`s insistance not to release him for the tournament.
Nigeria are expected to fly out to Cairo January 6 for a friendly match against Egypt on January 8 ahead of the African championship.
The team`s final warm-up game will be on January 12 in the Ivory Coast.
Nigeria are drawn along with host nation Mali, Algeria and Liberia in the first round of the competition, which kicks off on January 19.
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Hits: 1 | Source:Dailysoccer | |
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