The FIFA Rule That Favors NFF As Club Brugge, Montreal Impact Refuse To Release Okereke, Okonkwo

Allnigeriasoccer.com can confirm that Club Brugge winger David Okereke and Montreal Impact striker Orji Okonkwo have been handed late call-ups to the Nigeria U23 National Team for the return leg of their Olympic Games qualifiers against Sudan.

It can be revealed that the two attack-minded players were in the plans of manager Imama Amapakabo for the final round of qualifiers but surprisingly missed out when an 18-man roster was announced by the Nigerian Federation last week.

With the Dream Team VII beaten 1-0 by Sudan in the first leg on Thursday, their qualification for November's U23 AFCON is hanging in the balance and the Nigerian Federation have invited Okereke and Okonkwo in their bid to bolster the squad.

This website can exclusively report that Okonkwo will not honour the invitation despite the fact Montreal Impact's next competitive match does not take place until September 15.

On the other hand, Okereke is willing to link up with his international teammates but his trip to Asaba has not been sanctioned yet by Club Brugge.

There is a FIFA rule that favours the Nigerian Federation which states that, 'in  certain  circumstances  (force  majeure,  schedule  problems  etc),  it  may  be  necessary  to  play  a  qualifying  match  for  an  international  competition  on  a  date  initially  fixed/set  for  friendly  matches.  In  this  event,  if  a  player  is  called  up,  he  must  be  released  to  the  national  association.  The  period  of  release,  however, shall only be 48 hours'.

The likes of Josh Maja, Emmanuel Dennis, Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze who are eligible to represent the Olympic team have been called up for Super Eagles duty against Ukraine.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel