English Championship side West Bromwich Albion have rejected an official invitation for their 17 year old midfielder Yussuf Ojebode to team up with the Nigeria U20 team, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Ojebode is widely regarded as one of the best player for West Brom at youth level and Nigeria were hoping to steal a march on England, who can also cap him by inviting him to join the U20s but the club have flatly rejected the invitation from Nigeria.
The player was officially invited by the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) on the 31st of October to join the U20 team in preparation for the African Youth Championship tournament in Niger Republic next year.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the club, the NFF explained that they will need him to be with the rest of the team at the Serob Legacy Hotel in Wuye, Abuja on or before 11th November for camping.
West Brom responded via a mail earlier today written by Mark Harrison explaining that Ojebode won’t be able to team up with the Nigerian squad as he only recently returned from injury and has just rejoined the squad for selection.
They further explained that he will need to play in competitive matches to get his match fitness back before considering to join the Nigerian team, they however said he will be allowed to join the team in February before the start of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Osas Mahawi
