Still some time

Many Nigerian players absent from camp

LAGOS, Nigeria (Reuters) -- Nigeria's national team coach Shuaibu Amodu said on Monday that he was not worried by the fact that only eight out of 30 players had turned up for a training camp before the African Nations Cup.

The Super Eagles coach told Reuters that players were probably waiting until Saturday to appear, the last day they could report and still be eligible for the competition.

"We know the Nigeria team, those that will make the competition are busy in their various clubs," Amodu said.

Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro each said at the beginning of December they were prepared to risk their professional futures to play for Nigeria in the Cup, which starts in Mali on Jan. 19.

Chelsea expect to be without Babayaro during the competition but have warned him that any extra time off would not be tolerated.

Players have to report 14 days before the start of the tournament to qualify under Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules, Amodu said.

Three of the eight players at camp on Monday were goalkeepers and all eight play for African semi-professional teams.

Julius Aghahowa, who plays for Ukrainian club Shaktar Donetsk, reported Saturday but has since been given permission to leave, a team official said.

The Super Eagles will go to Mali with little preparation, having played only two friendlies since qualifying for the World Cup in August.

Nigeria have been drawn in the toughest first-round group at the 2002 World Cup finals with Argentina, England and Sweden.

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