A number of Premier League clubs have suffered a blow with the news
that Nigeria plan to call up their players two weeks before next
January's African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria's team manager, Berti Vogts, announced his plans and made
it clear that attending the training camp will not be optional for
players, but compulsory.
Former Scotland boss Vogts, a World Cup winner as a player with
(West) Germany, told the Liverpool Echo: "That is the way that
things have to be and there will be no exceptions.
"There will be a two-week training camp and all the players will be
there.
"They will not be allowed to arrive later."
The Premiership players likely to be called up for the Nigeria
squad are: Joseph Yobo, Victor Anichebe and Yakubu Aiyegbeni
(Everton), Kelvin Etuhu (Manchester City), Dickson Etuhu
(Sunderland), Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka (Portsmouth), Obafemi
Martins and Celestine Babayaro (Newcastle United) and Julius
Aghahowa (Wigan Athletic).