NFF: Why We're Delaying Eagles World Cup List

The Nigeria Football Federation have postponed the announcement of the Super Eagles 30-man provisional World Cup squad, claiming they need to check on the fitness of some injured players before the list could be made public next week. The provisional squad was to have been released on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting between coach Stephen Keshi and the NFF technical committee but was delayed.

The trio of skipper Joseph Yobo, Austin Ejide and Nosa Igiebor have all been reported injured in action for their respective clubs in Europe raising doubts about their preparedness for the World Cup in Brazil.

Yobo, on loan at Norwich from Fenerbahce, is expected to be fit in the coming weeks after being ruled out with a calf problem while second choice goalkeeper Ejide remains doubtful after complaining of a back problem for most past of last week. Real Betis midfielder Igiebor is also a major doubt after suffering a recent knee overload injury which will keep him out of action for three weeks. He is expected to be back in action in his side's final league game of the La Liga season against Osasuna on May 17.

Meanwhile, Keshi has been mandated to inform dropped players from the squad.

Furthermore, a member of the technical committee, Paul Bassey, confirmed the receipt of a 38-man list from Keshi but added that the NFF will make the list public by next week.

"We have decided to shelve the release of the list for the time being to allow him to do more consultation with the players and get back to us. We are not in a hurry to release the list," Bassey said.

“However, we took the opportunity to look at details of the programme, which was presented by the Technical Department, concerning preparations for the World Cup in Brazil. Among these are the camp site, personnel and all of that.

"When the list is ready, we shall give it to the media. He has to find out the condition of injured Austin Ejide and others to know their fitness and readiness for the Mundial. We are not going to vet the list; he has the final say on that. So, Keshi has to consult to know how serious it is"

Bassey insisted that the list, being circulated in certain sections of the media in the last one week, did not emanate from the NFF or Keshi.

He said the list could only be authentic when it came from the Technical Committee of the federation or the Super Eagles’ Head Coach.