Keshi reveals Ameobi contract clause that may stop him from playing for Nigeria at AFCON 2013

Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi, has revealed why Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, might not represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

Keshi, in a weekly media parley in Abuja, said he had spoken to the player on Christmas day and he told him that a clause in the deal, he signed two years ago, says he cannot go for the competition, without the manager’s permission.

“And to make matters worse Newcastle fears that Demba Ba, will be leaving the club by the January window and they need a strong strike force and with Ameobi being their most experienced player in that area we may lose him,” Keshi added.

“But he has said he will talk to me on Boxing Day Night and after that I will let Nigerians know what the position is, because he wants to thrash out the issue with his manager, Alan Pardew”.

The Nigerian team will depart for Faro, Portugal, to continue their training and players who will not be making the trip, will be decamped after the last training session in Abuja.

“It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals and I know when we return they will be part of the set up for the next round of qualifiers in the national team”.

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