Toyin Ibitoye Says Gbolahan Salami Absence Won't Hurt Nigeria's CHAN Chances

Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye has insisted that the absence of Warri Wolves striker, Gbolahan Salami, will give room for others to mount the stage and proof their worth.

Salami, who's currently the captain of the home Eagles failed to report to the camp of the national team, as they continue to prepare for African Cup of Nations for players playing in their country's domestic leagues.

Nigeria won bronze in their maiden appearance of the tournament under former coach, Stephen Keshi, and the Sunday Oliseh's tutored team are preparing for the forthcoming biannual football showpiece next month in Kigali, Rwanda.

The former Shooting Stars player did not give an excuse for his absence at the camp, but it was gathered that the last season's NPFL highest goal scorer is keenly interested in securing a foreign club, thereby excluding himself from participating in the championship designed for African players in their domestic leagues.

Ibitoye said the likely absence of the strongly built goal poacher will prove to be a rare visa for his replacements to shine at the upcoming CHAN.

“It appears Gbolahan Salami does not want to go to CHAN in Kigali, Rwanda. He seems to be interested in a European deal and we can only wish him good luck in his quest for greener pasture elsewhere.

“However, the Eagles have moved on in their preparations for the upcoming CHAN and his absence will be an opportunity for other players to step up, excel and become known.

“It’s up to other players in the camp to grab the rare chance to prove themselves.

“The players' response in training has been excellent, we just hope and pray they will be able to produce good performances on match day.

“The assistant coaches have been doing a good job in the absence of head coach Sunday Oliseh, who is constantly in touch with the team and dishing out instructions regularly,” said Ibitoye to supersport.com.

Ibitoye discloses that Sharks defender Chima Akas is recovering rapidly from the slight knock he picked up in training.

“Contrary to public impression that Akas is still missing, he did indeed reported to camp on Sunday.

“Akas picked up a slight knock, but he is doing very well at the moment so he remains a key member of the Eagles CHAN team,” said Ibitoye.

The bronze winners are expected to depart the nation’s shore on Saturday to Pretoria, South Africa, where they are billed to engage Ivory Coast and Angola among others in their build-up matches.

The Super Eagles will open their CHAN title account on January 18 against Niger at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali before taking on other Group C opponents Tunisia and Guinea on January 22 and 26 respectively. Supersport