Nigeria stand firm on Babayaro

By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Lagos

Babayaro has not played for Nigeria since the 2004 Nations Cup

The Nigerian Football Association (NFA) has rejected calls from Newcastle United to excuse Celestine Babayaro from African Nations Cup duty next weekend.

Just days after seeing Babayaro recalled to the international fold by new Nigerian coach Berti Vogts, the English Premiership side's manager Glenn Roeder said the leftback was not fully fit.

The 28-year-old defender has been absent from the Newcastle line-up due to injury, hence Roeder's reluctance to let him travel for the 24 March encounter against Uganda.

But Super Eagles team co-ordinator Emmanuel Attah told BBC Sport in Lagos on Saturday that Babayaro's fitness would have to be assessed by their own doctors.

He said: "We have to verify his fitness, therefore, his club must release him as stipulated by Fifa.

"After all, Fifa regulations state that players should report to their national team for assessment by national team doctors.

"If our medical team declares the player unfit, then we will not risk him on the field.

"There's been so much fuss surrounding Babayaro's commitment to the national team.

"I think if common sense prevails, he should travel for this particular game to clarify things."

Babayaro last played for the Super Eagles at the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia but was sent home in disgrace along with Victor Agali and Yakubu Ayegbeni after breaching team discipline.