Nigeria coach hits out at 'disrespectful' De Laurentiis
Nigeria assistant coach Usman Abdallah has criticized Napoli's president over his recent comments about Africa.
president Aurelio De Laurentiis this week said he will not sign any players who would participate in the
Africa Cup of Nations.
De Laurentiis told Wall Street Italia
: "I told them, lads, don't talk to me about Africans anymore!
"I love them, but either they sign something confirming they'll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations, or otherwise between that tournament, the World Cup qualifiers in South America, these players are never available!
"We are the idiots who pay salaries only to send them all over the world playing for others.”
coach Abdallah has reacted to De Laurentiis's comment and has slammed him for lack of respect towards Africa.
“I think he needs to come out, to tell the truth, using the Africa Cup of Nations as a yardstick is not a good excuse,”
Abdallah told GOAL.
“Are Napoli players not participating in Uefa Euro, Uefa Nations League, and even Copa America? Or are they not the same as Afcon?
“It would have been understandable if he said Napoli’s African players who get injured at Afcon are not well taken care of, or maybe when their players play in the competition, they violate certain rules.
“Even at that, his statement shows a lack of respect for Africa and it is stupid to say that. It is so disheartening that someone of his caliber can make such a statement.
“Some will tag this as racism because he only mentioned Africans and not players from other continents.”
Nigeria captain Mutiu Adepoju added to GOAL:
"They [Napoli] will be the biggest losers because African players have played a key role in their history.
“Before Kalidou moved to Chelsea, he played a key role for the club. That can be said of [Andre-Frank] Zambo Anguissa down to Osimhen.
"These players have proven that players from Africa are quality.”
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