London - Aiyegbeni Yakubu will not be playing for Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations next month, the Middlesbrough striker confirmed on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old blamed a strained relationship with national coach Augustine Eguavoen rather than pressure from his club for his decision to make himself unavailable for the tournament in Egypt.
"I have called the Nigerian Football Federation and told them that I am not going to go," Yakubu told Middlesbrough's website, mfc.co.uk.
"Unfortunately, I do not have a good relationship with our national coach, Augustine Eguavoen. We are not on good terms, so I think it is best that I don't go.
"He is not happy with me and I am not happy with him. It was a big decision for me but I have made the right one."
Nigerian fans will be dismayed by Yakubu's announcement but his decision not to spend over a month on international duty will come as a huge relief for Boro boss Steve McClaren.
Yakubu, signed from Portsmouth for £7.5-million (about R85-million), has been the club's top scorer this season with 11 goals so far.
Nigeria kick off their campaign against World Cup finalists Ghana on January 23. The final is on February 10.
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