Rio Ave B defender Kelechi John won’t be travelling with the Nigeria U23 team after missing out on a spot in the squad for the game which will hold on Wednesday next week, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.
Kelechi arrived camp a week ago as one of the foreign based players called up by coach Imama Amapakabo but the early arrival of the 21 year old did little to earn him favour in the eyes of the coach.
Imama dropped the Rio Ave U23 defender in his list of defenders with MFM FC Akpudje Joshua preferred ahead of him in central defence for the game which will be played in Tunisia before Nigeria host the second leg in a week time.
Sources close to the coach revealed Kelechi was dropped for not being match fit as he has struggled to get sufficient game time at Rio Ave U23 who are top of their division in Portugal.
However, the camp of the player when contacted by Owngoalnigeria.com said he failed to secure a visa to Tunisia for the trip, hence the decision to drop him. A claim we are yet to verify as at the time of filing in this report.
Osas Mahawi
