Barcelona FC defender, Elohor Godswill Ekpolo stated that it was hurting missing the matches of the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which enters its semi-final stage today with Nigeria facing hosts Senegal.
Ekpolo a stalwart in the Barca team B, was one of the overseas players invited to camp by coach Samson Siasia ahead of the tournament, which will determine the nations that will represent Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. But the youngster was denied participation by Barcelona as he was crucial to their campaign in the second division of the Spanish league.
"It was painful missing the tournament. But there is little I can do as I did not get clearance to report by my club," said Ekpolo who is also very effective in the midfield and can score goal.
However, he added that he has been following the activities of the Olympic Eagles in Senegal and he wished that Nigeria qualify for the Olympics as they take on Senegal in the semi-final.