Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has urged his top stars to quietly opt out of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier away to Congo if they cannot play on an artificial pitch.
Many of the Super Eagles stars struggled on the new astro turf in Sudan earlier this month as the African champions were pegged back after a 1-0 away loss. Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel described the pitch as “a nightmare”.
Coach Amodu said he needs only players who are certain they could give their best on artificial pitches for the remaining qualifiers.
“I know some players don’t like playing on synthetic pitch. I am calling on any player who knows he can’t give his best on such pitch to pull out,” Amodu said on pay TV.
“We can’t force any player; we only need those players who will give their best.”
Amodu also reiterated the fact that the match “against Congo is very important and will determine if we are going to qualify or not.”
