I didn’t get U-23 invitation, says Taiwo - Siasia ready for battle

Niyi Alebiosu, Lagos - 14.11.2007

Chrisantus, in the colour of Hamburg, poses with
his FIFA Golden Boot . Photo – Hamburg website

SUPER Eagles and Olympique Marseille FC of France’s left wing back, Taiye Taiwo has denied insinuations that he snubbed invitation to feature for the Olympic U-23 team against Ghana’s Black Meteors.

The player’s agent, Sikiru Sowemimo, who flew in from Marseille on Tuesday said Taiwo did not receive the invitation for the Ghana match.

The Marseille defender who also spoke with Tribunesports on phone said he even called the team’s secretary, and coach Samson Siasia over the invitation but he got no response.

He said further that if he received his invitation today (Tuesday) he could join the team in Ghana on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the team will depart for Ghana on Wednesday morning by 7.00 a.m aboard Virgin Airline with seven players dropped from the team. The team’s assistant coach, Henry Nwosu said the team would miss Mikel Obi in Ghana, but the players insisted they could do without Mikel and Taiye Taiwo.

Team keeper, Ambrose Vanzekin said the team could get the desired result in Ghana without any of the duo. Isaac Promise, the team captain also said with the crop of players in the team and the zeal in the camp, the team would win.

Meanwhile, chief coach, Samson Siasia has said that he has the arsenal to prosecute Friday’s make-or-mar Beijing Olympics qualifying match against Ghana in Accra’s Ohene Djan Stadium. “We have a team to do battle, and we have a formula for the game. I feel okay and all I want is for Nigerians to pray for the team so we can have a great day in Accra”, said the former Super Eagles’ striker.

Nigeria’s U-23 squad must not lose when they trade tackles with the Black Meteors inside the main venue in the Ghanaian capital when both sides clash in chase of a slot at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.