Angry Nigerian midfielder Wilson Oruma fell out with the coaching crew Sunday and failed to attend the team's last training session at Port Said before the Super Eagles' departure for Alexandria Monday morning for Tuesday's semi-final game against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire.

Oruma, who also stars for French side Marseille, was substituted by John Mikel Obi in Nigeria's second group match against Zimbabwe, and has not been fielded since then.

Informed sources told PANA the player had been listed to come in as second half substitute in Nigeria's Sunday quarter-final match against Tunisia, but the coaching crew changed their minds and decided to leave Obi to finish the match.

"Oruma refused to join the rest of the players when they were called to train at Port Said, but wisdom prevailed on him to comeback to his senses because nobody can impose himself on us for a place in this tournament," a member of the Eagles coaching crew said.

"All the registered players are important to us, this is no issue of preference for particular players. "(Eagles recuperating captain Austin) Okocha is eager to play, because he has been confirmed fit to play, but the coaching crew felt he needs more time," the coaching crew member added.

"I was 80% fit to play against Senegal but sat all through and in the last match against Tunisia I was confirmed fully fit by the team doctor and ready for action but I was left in the cold again," Oruma complained.

But he later told PANA: "I am back with the rest of the team now. I was disappointed for being kept on the bench when I am fit to play...."

The midfielder was voted Most Valuable Player in Nigeria's opening Group D match against Ghana. But he picked up an injury midway into the second match against Zimbabwe and was replaced by Obi.

The Super Eagles arrived in Alexandria Monday from Port Said, where they had played all their four matches in the competition so far.