 Chukwu has no time for big-name players |
Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu has warned players who missed the Unity Cup in London that they would not be guaranteed an automatic recall to the squad. Captain Jay-Jay Okocha was absent along with Julius Aghahowa, Wilson Oruma and Joseph Yobo and regular goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
In their absence, midfielders Christian Obodo, Paul Obiefule and Rabiu Baita put on impressive displays as the Super Eagles won the three-nation Unity Cup.
They beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 on Saturday and lifted the trophy after a 2-0 win over Jamaica on Monday.
 |  Every player in this group is equal as far as I'm concerned |
Strikers John Utaka and Bartholomew Ogbeche looked lively throughout and were both on the score sheet. Looking forward to the weekend's World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, Chukwu acknowledged that the understudies will be difficult to dislodge even when Nigeria's more established players become available again.
"There are no big-name players and no small-name players in my squad,' Chukwu insisted.
"Every player in this group is equal as far as I'm concerned, and I'm very pleased with how they have done.
"The Jamaica game was a far more difficult one for the team than the match on Saturday.
"I was pleased that they had to come through a game like that, because when we get back to Africa that is the sort of match we will face.
MMIX
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