Three more European clubs have joined the likes of Watford and Manchester City in ruling their players out of Nigeria’s male football team for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Belgium side Genk are playing hardball over the release of Wilfred Ndidi as his participation at the Olympics could see him miss their first Europa League qualifiers pending on Nigeria’s progress at the games.
For that reason they are yet to reply Nigeria’s request for Ndidi who is now a main stay in their first team following a switch of role from central defence to defensive midfield although Nigeria still has his name in their 35 man provisional squad for the Olympics.
Celtic knocked back Nigeria’s request to have Efe Ambrose at Rio 2016 by stating categorically that he won’t be released as new manager Brendan Rodgers gets down to work especially in the defence with Ambrose keen to force his way into the manager’s plan after losing his spot during the reign of erstwhile manager Ronny Delia.
Meanwhile various reports in the British media and in Nigeria have all reported that Alex Iwobi has bowed to the persuasions of manager Arsene Wenger and won’t be a part of Nigeria team to Rio 2016 despite been named in the 35 man provisional list for the games.
*Rasheed Michael
