Mikel, Taiwo, Anichebe confirm arrival

20.03.2008

NIGERIA’S U-23 team head coach Samson Siasia says Victor Anichebe, John Mikel Obi and Taye Taiwo will be part of his team to play against South Africa.

He took time to lash out at reports that claimed Victor Anichebe was injured and advised that sports writers should endeavour to always check their facts.

“Sola Ogunowo, our team secretary, put a call through to the player who had previously called to signify not only his intention to play the match, but also his arrival date. So, I do not know where the injury story came from.

"I have also made a plan for the team to train again on Sunday so that we can accommodate the foreign professionals in our programme “I know Anichebe has a little problem, but it is not that serious to miss the match. He will definitely honour the match,” Siasia said.

He also disclosed to KickOffNigeria.com the extent of his communication with John Shittu, the manager of John Mikel Obi. “I spoke with Shittu on Monday concerning Mikel. Shittu is in Nigeria and he said Mikel has an away game with his club on Saturday and will be in Abuja on Sunday.

“My fear now is that Mikel will be left with only two or three days to acclimatise. This is the biggest problem we are going to have because this sun is too much in Abuja now. “I have also made a plan for the team to train again on Sunday so that we can accommodate the foreign professionals in our programme.”

Siasia said that Taye Taiwo had called him and the team secretary to state his readiness to play against the South Africans and he believed the Olympique Marseille left back will make the trip to Abuja for the match.