Enyimba Coach Usman Abd’Allah has revealed that players from the club that are invited to the various national teams are not automatically guaranteed places in his team upon their return.
The People’s Elephant were forced to a 1-1 draw in Lagos by MFM in their matchday 13 outing last weekend and the duo of Valentine Ozornwafor and Ikouwem Utin fresh from their national assignments in Asaba were missing in action at the Agege Stadium.
Speaking to GOAL on the development, the Enyimba coach said preferences are not given to players on the strength of them commanding invitation to the national teams but more on their suitability for the game to be played.
“As I always say, this is Enyimba while the other team is a national team so every player is justified according to our strategy, tactics and game plan for whatever match we are playing.
“You come back from the national team, it’s entirely a different thing so you have to figure out how you will have to shape into what we are doing.
Next Match
“We don’t give preference to national team players, that is entirely a different thing. We have our style of play different from the national team.” The gaffer concluded.
The People’s Elephant are on a seven-match unbeaten run and they would be looking to extend that as they play back-to-back home games against Bendel Insurance and then Kwara United.
The seven-time Nigeria league champions got a draw in the reverse leg against Insurance but were beaten in Ilorin by the Harmony Boys.
It is expected that Ozornwafor and Utin will find their way back in the Enyimba squad for the crucial home games.
