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Nigerian coach blasts Arsenal over Kanu

From Sports Illustrated • Brian Cazeneuve: Olympic heroes • Tim Layden: Track -- Relay power play • Grant Wahl: Women's Soccer -- Mission Accomplished • Medal Picks: SI's Predictions More Features • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Day at a Glance: Sept. 14 • Marion Jones Timeline: Track the sprinter's career • In The Village: U.S. Volleyball Player Kevin Wong • 10 Questions: U.S. Beach Volleyballer Jennifer Johnson Jordan • Head Games: Rafer Johnson Athletes • Nicole Freedman Diary: Begging for my autograph • Sydney Tour Guide: Erin Aldrich • Athlete Bios: U.S. Rosters Multimedia • Photo Gallery: U.S. soccer's golden girls • Photo Gallery: Shots Of The Day • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Video and More

SYDNEY, Sept 15 (AFP) - Nigeria's French coach Jo Bonfrere has hit out at English Premiership side Arsenal and star player Nwankwo Kanu after the African country's poor start to the Olympic Games football tournament.

After the Nigerians opened the defence of their title in Sydney with a 3-3 draw against Honduras, Bonfrere was still smarting at the decision to let Arsenal hold on to their 24-year-old striker.

"A team like Nigeria has no chance if FIFA are prepared to let the big clubs get away with flouting the rules," he said.

"Kanu promised us he would play here and that was the case until the very last moment when Arsenal put pressure on him.

"They put him in a position where it was impossible for him to play for us. The club are selfish and won't even look at the big picture. We were counting on Kanu.

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