England-based defender Danny Shittu has pulled out of the Nigerian squad for the African Cup of Nations, which will start shortly in South Africa, but it seems that Nigeria still haven’t heard what the situation is with Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi.
Shola Ameobi – after scoring brilliant winner against QPR
But Sky Sports are reporting that Shola will not play in South Africa this month, and as we said last week, there’s no way Newcastle can force him not to play in the African Cup of Nations.
The only way Shola could get out of it is to say he doesn’t want to play for Nigeria, which is exactly what Danny Shittu has done.
The Media Officer of the Nigerian team, Ben Alaiya, said the following from their training camp in Faro, Portugal – that’s where Newcastle were last January for a few days break.
“There is no word from Ameobi yet on whether he will be part of our Nations Cup preparations. Keshi said he cannot force the player to play for the country, and so he is still waiting to hear from Ameobi on his position and then we will take it from there.”
If Shola is not going then he will have to officially pull out, and apparently there’s a clause in his Newcastle contract, which says that’s what he will do if ever selected by the Nigerian side.
It’s all still a bit fuzzy, and it’s been interesting that we haven’t seen Shola play for Newcastle since he scored that magnificent winner against QPR.
Maybe we’ll see him in action at some time tomorrow night against Everton.
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496 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Jan 1, 2013 at 1:57 PM
Comment #1First 1st of new Year
Indian Magpie
Jan 1, 2013 at 1:57 PM
Comment #2HD_07
Jayden
Jan 1, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Comment #3How did West Brom not score?! D:
Magpies-till-d3ath
Jan 1, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Comment #4Just seen that Ba is the fourth highest premier league scorer since the start of last season. Only Robin Van W*nkshaft, Rooney and Aguero have scored more!
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Comment #5Hope the choice Is Shola’s at the end of the day.
WB-Fulham game’s canny lively, thought it would be err a boring game lol.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #6We need West Brom to win!
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #7What a well taken goal by Fulham, route 1 lmao.
Jayden
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #8Classy goal.
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #9Indian – see your new years resolution is the same as the last one then.
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #10If Ba does leave then Shola will have a big part to play if/when we don’t bring in a replacement, but if Ba stays then Shola will be benched, tough one this, but I hope he does pull out as no doubt we’ll need him.
Lukaku is looking a class act, why the hell Chelski want Ba when they have this lad is beyond me.
Indian Magpie
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Comment #11Tsunki
Why let a good thing go.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Comment #12Lukaku again.
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:05 PM
Comment #13This is a tough one. Shola is kindly putting it, in the twilight of his career and not answering the call could be a big kick in the teeth in repayment of his loyalty to the club. I have no doubt he would get on with it though?
Could we afford to have Campbell as our bench backup? Big risk or massive opportunity? I think Pards has had his fill of taking risks.
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:06 PM
Comment #14Inidan, I know, I know. Someone has to do it. 🙂
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:07 PM
Comment #15Debuchy deal by the end of the week according some reports???
I won’t hold my breath
Robby Bobson
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Comment #16I need some proper news to keep me entertained as im digustingly hungover and refusing to get out of bed.
hatem786
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Comment #17breaking news now…Debuchy is reported to be on Tyneside to conclude the formalities of his deal today and have medical…..jippiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii……
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #18hatem786
where did you get that from???
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #19Anyone noticed when Pardew hasn’t a choice of players to pick from, forced into a starting 11 and formation in a way, we’ve played better (as in recent games) but given a choice he finds it difficult to pick the right team and formation?
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #20hatem786 – dont toy with us now everyone here is feeling pretty delicate. Dont say if you dont mean it 🙂
Williamson is Bramble in disguise
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #21Let the lad go play for his country for gods sake! its the only chance hes going to get, and im sure we can manage 4 weeks without, theres campbell, ranger and hopefully a new striker as backup to cisse, and if needs be obertan, sammy, or benny if hes back from injury could play down the middle!
proudtobageordie
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #22hatem76
That’s history mate he arrived on tynside last night in the batcopter
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Comment #23Mactoon – ha ha unfortunately (and this is right into catchy’s domain) I think a lot of that is true. The last two games have definitely been attack as a diversion from our woeful defense and dm. I didnt slate Pards for trying and failing so badly because he had his hands tied for selection and therefore formation.
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Comment #24Could Shola’s choice be stay here and sit on the bench or go to Africa and sit on the bench?
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Comment #25Ah the batcopter forgot about that. Anyone see that dastardly penguin about?
EEEEEeeehhhhh Mweh mweh mweh mweh!
Toon1978
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Comment #26Debuchy the end of the week or today lol????
darrenfletcher88
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Comment #27Is there any concrete info on dubbucy or is people just making pap up??
Tsunki
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Comment #28Gotta go. Please save your derision for later I will be back to torment ha ha ha ha.
hatem786
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Comment #29Debuchy is reported to be on Tyneside to conclude the formalities of his deal and have medical today
Sky Sports News quoted “sources at Lille and sources close to the player” on Sunday when reporting that agreement had been reached over a move from Lille to Newcastle for Mathieu Debuchy
Robby Bobson
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Comment #30Mactoon…well part of it is hes been force to play marv whos gives us a cutting edge in final third…
I also think Bigi, anita, perch etc were really harrassing the arsenal (for 70 mins) and man utd midfield as thats the type of players they are.
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Comment #31Well last season the starting 11 nearly picked themselves each week and the starting line ups remained quite familiar, this season it’s been everything but.
I’m not bashing Pardew btw, just thinking out loud.
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Comment #32With Simpson out for around a month that means he’ll walk away for free come the summer, bet Ashley will be spitting fire over that one
Robby Bobson
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Comment #33Anyone know if anita is back tomorrow?
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:25 PM
Comment #34Robby Bobson
Not heard anything yet, but I hope so as we need him
Dagwoodz
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:26 PM
Comment #35@33 Reports are speculating that he very well might be, but I personally will wait to see the team sheet before I say whether he is or not.
MacToon
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:28 PM
Comment #36Was a real second blow at OT seeing Anita going off right near the end of the match, hope he is fighting fit again for tomorrow.
Obertan seems to have improved recently but still see him as an impact sub atm.
Robby Bobson
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:28 PM
Comment #37Hmm be interesting to see if he lines up at right back or midfield…perchys heading could be needed in the centre with anitas pace against baines. We certainly looked better when they swapped to that at goodison.
JackButler
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Comment #38Think we could see Santon at Right back with Perch in the middle and Fergie on the left with Anita in midfield
Transfer Sage
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Comment #39Ameobi played at arsenal. So we have seen him since the qpr game.
Dagwoodz
Jan 1, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Comment #40If that’s what they go for JackButler, Perch and co. should make sure they’re careful to track back when Fergie goes forward as he’s apt to do. He doesn’t track back too terribly well yet.