Many players from the silver- winning Nigeria/Ghana AFCON 2000 squad have registered their displeasure, dissatisfaction, and therefore have cried out over the seeming hijack of a rematch of the epic final organised by the National Association of Cameroonian Footballers by a non- member of the team, Daniel Amokachi
The game which was played in the city of Limbe, Cameroon, on November 30, 2023, we scooped had the names of nine members of the squad conspicuously missing in the team presented by Amokachi who was saddled with the responsibility to put the team together.
Our further investigations revealed that the National Association of Cameroonian Footballers in a letter dated 6th October, 2023 and made available to us, requested Amokachi to compile the list of the players in the squad, get their contacts across for the Association to be able to arrange their flights, accommodation with other logistics to make them available for the testimonial game that attracted five thousand US Dollars ($5,000) as match bonus.
It reads: “On the occasion of the second edition of international Plantain Festival currently being celebrated in Cameroon, from November 30 to December 3, 2023, in Limbe to which the Super Eagles of Nigeria are invited for a nostalgic remake of the Final of CAN 2000 against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on November 30.
The letter continued, “The arrival date of the players will be scheduled for November 28 with a return date on December 1. I hereby invite you to produce as soon as possible the list of players from the 2000 generation and also define the individual participation bonus set at $5,000.”
But rather than submit the list of registered players of the team, Amokachi added his friends who were never part of the squad.
Expressing shock on why he was left out without being contacted, Belgium based ex-international, Furo Iyenemi condemned the action.
He said, “Sometimes I am ashamed with the way Nigerians behave. I and other players who were part of the Super Eagles that were registered in the competition and are still alive were replaced with those who never played for the team. We are not happy about this.
He continued, “On Monday, I was contacted by my Cameroonian friend who is based in Belgium with me that a match which involves Super Eagles of Year 2000 African Nations Cup and their Cameroonian counterparts was played on Thursday in Limbe and he was surprised to hear that I didn’t know anything about the game. He then contacted one of the organisers of the match. On hearing that I was not invited, he shouted and asked why I was omitted. I told him I don’t know why.
“It’s sad that the same people who blame Nigerian politicians when they shortchange the citizens are now doing same.
Also speaking, former Barcelona and Super Eagles right back, Gbenga Okunowo, who is based in Spain raised eyebrow saying that he was sad for being left out.
“Yes, Amokachi contacted me two weeks ago, that there will be a match between Super Eagles of Year 2000 Cup of African Nations Vs Cameroon players that played in the same tournament. But till now, I didn’t hear anything again until Wednesday afternoon when one of the players that was sidelined called my attention to it that the match was played on Thursday.
“If a senior player like Amokachi can do this, then, I am short of words because I can’t do such thing to a younger player. I am here in Barcelona, still alive and someone who was not part of the team was used to replace me.
What am I even saying? The captain of the team, my brother, Mutiu Adepoju was left behind. If a player like Adepoju is removed, then who am I to complain?
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As a former Barcelona player who is based in the state, I have the contact of Eto’o or I can use my contact through Barcelona to reach and get invitation but to what end?
Meanwhile, we gathered that Celestine Babayaro who was also contacted opted out of the testimonial game.
Further investigation revealed that some of the players who are supposed to be in Cameroon for the match were not contacted.
The Full Squad of Super Eagles for Ghana/Nigeria African Nations Cup. Ike Shorounmu, Gbenga Okunowo, Celestine Babayaro, Kanu Nwankwo, Furo Iyenemi, Taribo West, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Finidi George, Jay-Jay Okocha, Ndubuisi Egbo, Garba Lawal, Tijani Babangida, Emmanuel Amunike, Sunday Oliseh, Efetobore Sodje, Julius Agahaowa, Chukwu Ndukwe, Benedict Akwuegbu, Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Okpara, Murphy Akanji, Jonathan Akpoborie.
The Squad submitted by Amokachi: Jay Jay Okocha, Tijani Babangida, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Julius Agahowa, Emmanuel Amunike, Taribo West, Godwin Okpara, Elderson Echejile, Vincent Enyeama, Kanu Nwankwo, Emmanuel Emenike, Garba Lawal, Sunday Mba, Obinna Nwaneri and Daniel Amokachi.
The nine missing players include: Sunday Oliseh, Mutiu Adepoju, Celestine Babayaro, Benedict Akwuegbu, Furo Iyenemi, Finidi George, Ike Shorounmu, Gbenga Okunowo, Efetobore Sodje,
The 9 players that were not in the squad but were added are: Joseph Yobo, Peter Rufai, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba, Obinna Nwaneri, Elderson Echejile, Vincent Enyeama, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Daniel Amokachi.
Meanwhile, all efforts to reach Amokachi was frustrated. The Bull as he is fondly called failed to pick his calls when reached and didn’t respond to messages sent to his phone.
