Nigeria will not seek a ban for Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi.

The Journal says the Super Eagles had threatened a further suspension when the striker refused to take coach Stephen Keshi's phone calls after being called into their provisional African Cup of Nations squad.

"We will not be appealing to Fifa to stop Ameobi playing for Newcastle," Nigerian Football Federation general secretary Musa Ahmadu confirmed to The Journal. "There are more important issues than Ameobi." Board member Chris Green explained: "We have decided to focus our energy on the players and officials going to the Nations Cup.

"There's no point creating unnecessary distraction or pushing for sanctions when we have capable players. We have the rules firmly on our side to seek punishment but that will not make any positive contribution to our preparations."