Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella has stated his commitment to the senior national team of Nigeria despite turning down the chance to be a part of the team that played in the last round of international games, where they were involved in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Tella who won the Bundesliga and German Cup in his first season at Leverkusen turned down the chance to be among the players for the 1-1 draw against South Africa and 1-2 defeat to Benin Republic due to family reasons.
It was rumoured that the 24 year old excused himself from the squad because of the manner he was treated by then coach Finidi George when he was called up, but didn’t get to play any minute of the two friendly games they played against Ghana and Mali respectively.
However a source close to the player says that is not the issue explaining that Tella had a pressing family issue that required his attention and that was why he turned down the invitation. He said Tella will honor subsequent invitation to the team.
” Tella had no issues with Finidi before his exit as coach. It was a pressing family issue that kept him away from the team and I can tell you that he will be available when next he is called up to the team”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleman