Barcelona Starlet Ekpolo Explains Why He Rejected Chance To Train With Nigeria U23s In USA

Barcelona stopper Godswill Ekpolo has turned down an opportunity to train with Nigeria’s Olympic National Team in Atlanta, United States, and has returned to Spain ahead of the start of pre-season.

The 21-year-old was not named to the 35-man provisional roster announced last week, but team officials permitted him to travel with the squad to America on the proviso that he pays for his flight ticket.

“I am no longer in Nigeria, I left because they wanted me to buy my flight ticket to go to United States, ” says Godswill Ekpolo to allnigeriasoccer.com.

Asked if he will still join the squad in Atlanta, Ekpolo, who sounded disappointed, replied : “No, I am not joining them because they want me to pay from my money.”

Dream Team VI manager Siasia earlier revealed to this website that Ekpolo was in his plans for the Olympic Games and in line to train with the squad during their get-together in Atlanta, but conveniently left out the fact that the wing-back will foot his traveling expenses.

Last season, the defender appeared 27 times in the league for Barcelona II, logging 1,871 minutes in the process.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel