The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has berated the Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Ike Shorunmu for his lack of desire to be part of the team’s technical crew.

This was contained in a statement released by the NFF’s Media Director, Ademola Olajire in response to reports that Shorunmu and assistant coach, Finidi George have been told by the federation not to join the squad for the 2023 AFCON double-header qualifiers against Guinea Bissau scheduled for Friday, 24th March in Abuja with the return leg on 27th March in Bissau.

According to the NFF, the former Enyimba goalkeeper coach was replaced with a one-time U15 goalkeeper coach, Olatunji Baruwa.

“The case of goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu is somewhat peculiar, as the former Nigeria goalkeeper showed a clear lack of desire to be in camp for the matches against Guinea Bissau.

“It was only when we got the clear signal that he was unwilling to come, and the head coach was in a quandary, that he (Coach Peseiro) requested for the services of Olatunji Baruwa, who he had seen at work during the U20 AFCON in Egypt, to help do the work of training the goalkeepers,” the statement said.

Similarly, the NFF further said Finidi wasn’t sacked but won’t be in the team based on a rotation policy of the federation.

“As part of cost-cutting measures instituted at the beginning of the new administration, we established a rotation policy among the assistant coaches, based on the high number, which was agreed with all of them. When there is a tournament, all of them will be with the team,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, 11 have players arrived the Abuja camp and had their first training session at the MKO Abiola National Stadium yesterday.

The players in camp as at the time of press are Kevin Akpoguma, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi.

Others are Semi Ajayi, Kingsley Aniagboso, Francis Uzoho, Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Bameyi and Kenneth Omeruo. (Daily Trust)

Update news