Festus Abu

The Colombian Football Federation has rejected the South American country’s  Under-23 team coach Carlos Restrepo’s selection of Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Instead,  the football body is backing the country’s senior national team  coach Jose Pekerman’s decision to  include the in-demand striker  in his squad for the COPA  America Centenario in the United States in June.

It means Nigeria coach Samson Siasia will not bother about stopping the  24-year-old, who made a stunning  move worth £58m   to Real  from Monaco after winning the  Brazil 2014 World Cup Golden Boot, when he leads his charges against Colombia in Sao Paulo on August 10.

Colombia  have been drawn in Group B of the men’s football event  alongside  Nigeria, Sweden and Japan  at  the  August 3– 20 Rio Games.

But    James  is still considered as one of the best finishers in the world in his country, despite his lack of game time with Real, who are  set to meet their city neighbours Atletico Madrid in the  UEFA Champions League  final at San Siro, Milan, on May 28.

Colombian football chief  Ramon Jesurun, who confirmed James would not be considered for selection as one of the three overage  players permitted at Rio 2016, said the player had  agreed to represent his country at COPA America.

“He (James)  had a private conversation with the coaching staff and decided to partake in COPA  America Centenario,”  Marca quoted Jesurun as saying on Thursday.

“It is understandable. It was very difficult to have him in the two competitions, it must be understood.

“James is a phenomenon, a fabulous player and an extraordinary person.”

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