For the non-inclusion of local players in the recently announced Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone, President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), Tijani Babangida says it is very wrong for the development of football in Nigeria.
Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr last month announced the 23-man squad for the double headed AFCON qualifiers clash against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone without given any slot to local players.
“This is very bad idea, and NFF have to sit and discuss those issues that even if three or four chances are given, even if they are not playing but can be on the bench and with the team.
“Stephen Keshi was doing that, all the other coaches were doing that. Ezenwa, only him, the goalkeeper was always there, now he was dropped.
“He wasn’t even playing in the team but they still dropped him so I think the NFF must discuss that policy with the technical adviser (Gernot Rohr) and try to see that local players also get involved and feel they are also part of the game because I don’t see that in any country where you are using only professionals without giving chance to the local league. That must stop,” Babangida said.
Speaking further, the former Ajax Amsterdam winger said the Nigeria Football Federation must ensure that the German tactician invite players plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League for the country football to grow, arguing that not all the foreign based call-up end up play.
“How about other players that you don’t even use, you bring them and put on the bench.
“You can invite players to the camp and they feel the vibe of the camp so that they will be able to pick it up.
“It doesn’t matter they have to play, if they play it is good for the league, but put one or two players on the bench because there are other players that are not even playing.
“If you are giving 23 players a chance to come into the camp – two cannot hurt you and cannot kill you so that two supposed to be awarded to the local league,” Babangida added.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
