Nigeria coach meets English clubs over players` release (18.12.2001)
LAGOS,
Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu has said he will meet this week with the English Premiership clubs of Nwankwo Kanu and Celestine Babayaro over their release for international matches.
"I hope to use this visit to not only secure the release of the players for the Nations Cup but also talk with their managers how they can play more regularly at their clubs ahead of the World Cup," Amodu told reporters here.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently said Kanu stood the risk of losing his first-team place should he stay away with the national team for as long as six weeks for the African Nations Cup.
Chelsea officials have equally insisted on holding
on to Babayaro during the Nations Cup, which kicks off in Mali on January 19.
However, both players have insisted they will join the `Super Eagles` even at the risk of losing their places at their clubs.
Amodu said he will use his London visit to also have a closer look at top England players most likely to be in action when the two countries clash in the first round of the 2002 World Cup finals.
"I plan to watch a couple of English Premiership games to see some of England`s top stars in action against formidable opposition," he said.
"This way I hope to learn a few things about England`s playing style, strengths and weaknesses, if they have any."
