Basel Refuse To Release Burkina Faso’s Nasser Djiga For AFCON

Swiss club FC Basel have refused to release Yacouba Nasser Djiga for January’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Djiga was named by Burkina Faso coach Kamou Malo on Thursday in a 28-man squad for the tournament that kicks off in central-African nation on 9 January.

The 19-year-old, who joined Swiss top-flight side in October, has been in fine fettle for his club which has led to their refusal to release him for the tournament.

Burkina Faso FA is now preparing to seek the intervention of the FIFA Player Status Department in regards to the matter that is threatening to deprive the country of its most high profile defender.

“The AFCON is being played at a time when most European championships are in full swing and many clubs are hesitant on releasing their players,” Burkina Faso’s team manager Aristide Bance said in an interview.

“However, I urge CAF and FIFA to look into this practice of some clubs which consists of holding back African players called to defend the colors of their countries at the AFCON. This definitely needs to stop.”

Djiga is the only player that has no entered the Stallions camp that is set to kick-off on Tuesday afternoon in Abu Dhabi.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up were draw in Group A along with hosts Cameroon, Ethiopia and Cape Verde.

The Stallions will kick off their campaign against Cameroon on January 9 at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé .