2024 Olympic: Salisu Yusuf Denies Invitation of Overage Players

2024 Olympic: Salisu Yusuf Denies Invitation of Overage Players

By Niyi Busari

Nigeria U23 Eagles coach, Salisu Yusuf has denied extending invitation to players that are above 23 years, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The former Rangers International coach in an exclusive interview with BSN Sports however admitted inviting four inactive players.

"No, I don't think that there is any player that is above the age of 23. You know it's about research, you need to have your facts. No overage player in the Under 23.

He added, "And talking about invitation of inactive players, the only players that have not played for their clubs are the goalkeepers.

 "Four goalkeepers and they are all assistant goalkeepers to the first team goalkeepers and all the first choice goalkeepers are above the age bracket. The goalkeeper trainer (Sulaiman) went round, he is the one that gave us the names of goalkeepers not me and if I ask him questions about this one, which club he is playing and he will say he plays for Akwa United but he is reserved goalkeeper but there is one in Dakkada FC he is keeping on and off. "If we cannot get the once that are keeping for their club sides regularly, maybe always on the bench we can give them an opportunity because it is about age and most of the goalkeepers in the NPFL are above the age but all the players apart from the goalkeepers no one that didn't play for their club.

The 30 invited home based players who resumed training in Abuja on Monday will trade tackles in the last round of the CAF U23 African Nations Cup qualifier with Guinea U23 national team on 22nd March, 2023 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.