AFCON 2021: Al-Shabab blames NFF for Ighalo’s no-show

Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab have spoken about the mix-up that prevented Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo from joining up with the rest of the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon.

Al-Shabab put the blame of Ighalo’s no-show on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stating that the football body did not inform them in time about Ighalo’s call-up for the tournament.

Al-Shabab’s Director of professionalism Majid Al-Marzouki noted that NFF sent the player’s release letter later than the stipulated 15 days required by FIFA.

According to Al Arabiya as reported by Allnigeriasoccer: “We did not prevent the player from joining, but his invitation letter did not reach us within the period specified by Fifa for receiving the players’ call-up letters.

“The Fifa Player Status Regulations stipulates that the local federation must notify the player and his club in writing of his summon 15 days before the start of the tournament, and it is advised to send a copy to the local federation of the club as well, which did not happen, and accordingly the coach told us that the player continues with us and will not join his team.”

Ighalo had failed to report to the Super Eagles camp in Abuja on December 29 but went on to play for his club side on January 1 against Al-Ahli.

Other than the former Manchester United striker, the Super Eagles will be without Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as they go in search of a fourth AFCON title in Cameroon.

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