Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has been ignoring phone calls from the Nigerian national team, who have now given up on him featuring at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Ameobi made his debut for the west African nation last November, despite having played for England at Under-21 level.
Ameobi was named in the Super Eagles preliminary squad by coach Stephen Keshi, but it has since emerged that the powerful front man is not interested in travelling to South Africa later this month.
He has not made any comments on the matter but his Newcastle coach, Alan Pardew, said the 31-year-old would not be taking part in the tournament.
Nigeria's media officer Ben Alaiya has now confirmed that Ameobi is a lost cause as far as the team is concerned.
"Shola's refusal to answer calls gave Keshi no other option than to allow him to concentrate on his club," Alaiya told the BBC.
"The coach and team secretary made several attempts to reach Shola but there was no answer. The coach waited to hear back from him but a call never came.
"A decision on the next move will be made at the appropriate time."
Two-time AFCON champs Nigeria are in Group C with Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and defending champions Zambia.
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