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Post by markscfc72 on Jan 2, 2008 9:46:20 GMT
Stoke striker Mama Sidibe has revealed that he is only travelling to the African Cup of Nations in order to protect his family out in Africa.
Sidibe fears for the safety of his extended family in Mali if he turns his back on his country to remain with Stoke.
He revealed that he even asked the Mali manager to find a replacement so he wouldn't have to participate in a tournament starting on January 20 and finishing with the final on February 10.
"I have spoken to the manager of Mali and said I would prefer to stay," said Sidibe. "He said if they can find someone to replace me then maybe I could stay, but he hasn't found anybody yet, so it looks as though I'm going.
"The choice was really hard for me to make. This is an important part of the Championship here with Stoke, but I have to think of my family living in Mali.
"If I don't play, you don't know what might happen to them. There could be a reaction in Mali and I don't want any trouble for them."
Sidibe was being told by his wife and mother to skip the Cup of Nations in Ghana after he suffered horrendous arm injuries during a riot at the end of his last international in Togo in October.
But his father in Paris, together with the rest of his family back in Mali, were imploring him to represent his country.
He currently plans to leave next Monday so he can be available for Sunday's televised FA Cup clash with Newcastle at the Britannia.
Stoke may yet be without Ricardo Fuller on Sunday after he was given leave before yesterday's 1-1 draw with Hull to return to Jamaica for the funeral of his grandmother tomorrow.
"She actually brought Ric up and was almost like a mother to him," said Pulis, "so he was desperate to go to the funeral and there was no way I was going to stop him."
Pulis's January shopping list will now include a full-back after Stephen Wright's loan spell from Sunderland ended yesterday to leave Pulis explaining: "Roy (Keane) wants him back, so that's the last we will see of Stephen.
"He's done brilliantly, including in and around the dressing room, and we wish him all the best."
The Stoke boss expects formal confirmation, however, that Ryan Shawcross is remaining on loan until the end of the season after the young defender meets with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson today.
"As far as I'm concerned," said Pulis, "it's all cut and dried."
Stoke's draw with Hull extended their unbeaten run to 10 and consolidated their fourth spot in the Championship thanks to results elsewhere.
"I'm hoping we will do some business in January," added Pulis, "but we mustn't forget the players who've put us seven points ahead of seventh place. Supporters should be proud of their efforts."
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Post by rorymscfc on Jan 2, 2008 9:54:30 GMT
Pulis's January shopping list will now include a full-back after Stephen Wright's loan spell from Sunderland ended yesterday to leave Pulis explaining: "Roy (Keane) wants him back, so that's the last we will see of Stephen. Well that's one bit of good news at least! RoryM |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2008 9:56:50 GMT
'"He's done brilliantly, including in and around the dressing room, and we wish him all the best."'
If he goes who's going to do the hoovering?
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Post by PONTAFCE on Jan 2, 2008 10:04:39 GMT
Wright wasnt worth the stay at all never shined for me and he could of stayed in the dressing room instead of bein on the pitch.
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Post by winger on Jan 2, 2008 10:19:04 GMT
We're 5 points ahead of 7th place.
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Post by starkiller on Jan 2, 2008 11:35:30 GMT
And I thought we took our football seriously over here.
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