I won't lose sleep over Enyeama's withdrawal from Tanzania clash - Oliseh

Sunday-Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh

Taiwo Adelu

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh
Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh

Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh has declared that he won’t lose sleep over last minute withdrawal of goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama from this weekend’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania.

Oliseh who officially confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Enyeama, 33, had pulled out of the away fixture in Dar es Salaam due to personal reasons, said that with or without the country’s first choice goalkeeper, his game plan won’t be affected.

Oliseh who will take charge his first competitive game as the Chief Coach of the senior national team, shrugged off concerns that Enyeama’s absence would worry the camp, adding that, his policy in the team is to give every player equal opportunity to play for the country, while nobody can hold the nation to ransom.

The coach, however, said that he his leading the three-time African champions in a new direction and will welcome criticism of his team’s performance win or lose in Tanzania.

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“We are a new crew and I have done everything to make it comfortable for the players to also understand that we are heading towards a new direction. Nigerians can judge us. If we lose criticise us, but if we win roll out the drums to celebrate the team, Oliseh said.

Vincent Enyeama
Vincent Enyeama

Meanwhile, the delegation of Super Eagles of Nigeria to Saturday’s qualifying match against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania will fly out of Abuja at 3:00 pm on Thursday.

According to the website of the NFF, arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam will be at 10:00 pm (8:00pm Nigerian time) of the same day.

Nigeria’s delegation will comprise 23 players, technical officials, a number of Members of NFF Executive Committee and Management, NFF Staff, some representatives of the media, football stakeholders and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club.

Both countries have not met at senior level since December 1980, but there have been clashes at junior level, and an African Women Championship qualifying fixture, in recent years.

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