Players’ invitation to Super Eagles based on current form, Oliseh’s assistant says

Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf says the team’s technical crew will henceforth invite players to camp based on their current form and performance in their various league clubs.

Yusuf said at the team’s weekly interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the decision was aimed at building a formidable team.

He assured that Head Coach Sunday Oliseh and his assistants were working assiduously to build a formidable Super Eagles and to ensure the team returned to its glorious days.

“We have about 70 players in our pool for different positions, but what we did was to pick the ones we have invited to camp now on the basis of current form.

“A player may be good, but he may currently not be in a good form. This means we cannot pick such a player.

“We are not saying that these players in camp are the best now, but we believe they are the best in terms of current form.

“We will continue to monitor the domestic league as it will enable us follow the players who are in form,’’ Yusuf said.

He however pointed out that the national team was not a place where players learn the rudiments of football.

“Because of this, we will always strive to go for the best in the clubs,’’ the former midfielder said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles are currently in camp in Abuja preparing for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Tanzania.

On the availability of Gbolahan Salami for the game scheduled for Sept. 5 in Dar es Salaam, Yusuf said the player had travelled.

“Salami has left for Lagos this (Thursday) morning to sort things out with the Norwegian Embassy and see how he can get his passport back.

“His chances of making the team against Tanzania now depend on the outcome of his visit to the Norwegian Embassy,’’ Yusuf said.

NAN reports that Salami’s international passport is currently with the Norwegian Embassy in an effort to secure visa.

This is as a result of his proposed move to the country’s league.

NAN also reports that Oliseh was absent from the interactive session, and no team official was on hand to give any reason for his absence.