Eagles to battle for Amoebi, Shittu
by George Akpayen 25 December 2012, 12:31
Nigeria look set for a showdown with English clubs, Millwall and Newcastle over Danny Shittu and Shola Ameobi respectively.
Millwall manager, Kenny Jackett, had boldly declared that Shittu will reject the chance to play for Nigeria after earning a recall last Friday.
"I don't think he's going to go and I don't think he's been in touch with them. At the moment that's the decision.
"It was a surprise but it shows how well Danny has done. He's only in the preliminary squad so that's going to be cut down," Jackett said of the 32-year-old centre-back snubbing Nigeria's call.
Also, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, was quoted on Christmas Eve saying he has held talks with Ameobi to skip the Africa Cup of Nations.
Pardew has gone on to rule out the 31-year-old from the African tournament saying "a private conversation took place."
The Newcastle manager, according to BBC Sport, also claimed he struck an understanding with the "national team manager" of Nigeria to keep Ameobi away from the Afcon in South Africa.
But Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi denied entering into such an agreement and insisted that Ameobi will be part of his Afcon plans.
"I don't know anything about that. I spoke to Shola before I named my provisional squad and he was positive, excited and keen about playing for us at the Nations Cup," explained Keshi.
An executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Green said to supersport.com that the African nation will apply for the full weight of the law to get the two players.
"It's a big joke. I've read about Danny Shittu in the papers where his manager is saying he won't come. The player hasn't been quoted as saying he won't honour the call. Same goes for Shola Ameobi.
"But if they (the clubs) are bent on holding on to the players then we will have no choice than to report them (to Fifa) and ensure appropriate sanctions are taken," said Green.
Newcastle are keen to convince Ameobi to stay away from the Afcon with Demba Ba reported to be linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
