Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker knocks back Sierra Leone invite
Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has rejected the offer to play for the Sierra Leone national team.
He was subject of a bid by team coach Christian Cole to bring him into the set-up for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Cole had been set to include the 26-year-old in his squad for the qualifying match against South Africa.
But the player revealed that he believes he can still feature for England, the land of his birth, at an international level. He has played with and captained the England Under-21 side, but has yet to win a cap at senior level, meaning that he could still
make the switch to Sierra Leone under FIFA rules.
'Flattered' by invitation
Reo-Coker has written to the Sierra Leone Football Association to advise that, although he was flattered by the opportunity, he would not be accepting the offer as he aims to nail down a regular place on the Villa first-team.
He said that, "I'm flattered by the invitation to play for Sierra Leone and I want to thank the SLFA, as I consider it as a mark of respect. But I can't play for Sierra Leone, because at the moment my concentration is to win a regular place in my club Aston
Villa. Besides, I believe I still have the prospect to play for England as I'm still young to fight for a place."
The Sierra Leone FA’s president Nahim Khadi was disappointed by Reo-Coker’s decision. Khadi, who said earlier this year that recruiting Reo-Coker, for his leadership and experience, would be a huge boost for the side, told reporters that, "I think he knows
what's best for him and he believes the decision he has taken is his own best interest."
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