I’m not at war with Manu over players –Siasia (The Sun)

Siasia 

The Chief Coach of the national U-23 team, Samson Siasia has denied stories making the rounds that he is at war with the coach of the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, Manu Garba over the invitation of some player.

Expressing surprise at the source of the story, Coach Siasia said at no time did he and Coach Manu disagree over any player and wondered why some mischief makers would want to create news when none exist.

“Why would I fight over Iheanacho and other players with Coach Manu when both of us can easily use them for the betterment of the nation? There is no basis for a clash of interest as the players in question cannot be active for both teams at the same time.”

“When Coach Manu is using them for their games, it’s not possible for them to be available for me, besides my plans for these players is basically for the Olympics and as such they would have finished playing the U-20 World Cup before our competition will heat up, so there is just no way we would be fighting over them.

“Besides the experience they will garner while playing at the U-20 world cup will come in handy when we will be needing their services, so it is to our benefit if they are active with the Flying Eagles”

Coach Siasia disclosed that he released the names of those players from the foreign leagues to make them know they are in his short and long term plans, as not all of them will be available when they are needed knowing that the All Africa Games is not a FIFA sanctioned event and as such some clubs will not readily agree to release their players for the event.

The U-23 tactician said he was already in talks with some of the clubs in respect of some players he would be needing as the most important thing is not just to have these players in camp, but to have them for the real games.