Newcastle look very prepared to have Shola Ameobi all to themeselves during the Africa Cup of Nations after the stricker was excluded out of the Nigeria squad.
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Newcastle boss Alan Pardew made it clear that he was reluctant to release Ameobi for the tournament despite Nigeria's threat to demand disciplinary action from FIFA.
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But Pardew appeared to have won the fight for Ameobi's services after he was left out of coach Stephen Keshi's final squad.
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The Nigeria Football Federation conceded that they had no choice but to omit the stricker, although they did not rule out taking futher action.
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Nigeria's media officer, Ben Alaiya, said : ''Shola's refusal to answer calls gave Keshi no choice than to allow him to concentrate on his club''.
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'' A decision on the next move will be made at the appropraite time ''.