Nigeria have warned Obafemi Martins that he may be punished for pulling out of their African Nations Cup squad.
The Inter striker withdrew on on Saturday, saying it would harm his club career if he played in the tournament.
“We want to make our players understand no-one is indispensable,’ said Nigerian Football Association (NFA) chairman Ibrahim Galadima.
“I’m as shocked as everybody because he had given us the assurance that he would play in the tournament.
“We’ve done everything possible to ensure that he plays for his country but it appears he is just not keen and as such we cannot force or beg him.”
“If the team do well in Tunisia without him, it may well be very difficult for him to break into the side when he’s finally ready to play for us.”