Former Super Eagles coach, Adeboye Onigbinde has revealed that the players in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) can make a big difference in the senior national team ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Recall that Nigeria has been pitted alongside host, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
With the players in the NPFL giving limited space to prove their worth in the Super Eagles under Jose Peseiro, however, Onigbinde, in a chat with Completesports.com stated that the home based players are good enough to make a big difference in the team.
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“I am still optimistic that players in the NPFL can make a big difference in the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. We should not forget in a hurry that the last Nation Cup trophy Nigeria won was thanks to Sunday Mba’s goal in the final against Burkina Faso.
“He was a player in the NPFL and the few times he was called upon he distinguished himself and gave us the trophy when it matters most. What I am saying is that we have not giving the NPFL players the opportunity to prove their worth in the Super Eagles.
“There is nothing wrong if we decide to use two or three NPFL players in the Super Eagles as we prepare for AFCON. Like you, I will continue to advocate for grassroots players because I know they can do it.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
7 Comments
A national side is not the place for mediocre footballers, just because they are hone-based Onigbinde should stop shedding crocodile tears for low-quality.
Ahhh…Our ex footballers of old and local coaches should have accept reality in Nigerian football .
Nigeria has moved away from that era of football mediocrity .If our administration is commensurable to the present growth ,we can win world cup or go very far into the competition since we have top notch players .
We don’t develop but our players are developed outside and we have to take that opportunity while encouraging the home based players to work hard for recognition .
Developed indeed, and you have many of them panting on the field, trying to catch their breath. Maybe you can tell us why they couldn’t beat Lesotho and Zimbabwe. It was all professionals used against mostly home based players from their opponent
What tears is he shedding. The so called professionals couldn’t beat 2 lowly ranked teams and you come to make yourself look foolish.
Seriously, then you don’t have a football brain and aldo very shadow.
Secondly, u sound like a complete twat.
Tell them bro, recipe for failure, in 2002 how many did he take to the world cup, Nigeria is not cursed
What tears exactly should he be shedding. Someone that has handled the national team on numerous occasion, and given many local based players the platform to excel. One in Enyeama that many are singing his praise today. Yes our league might not be stable. That doesn’t mean their are no talents that can be discovered. They are more hungrier than the so called professionals who couldn’t beat minnow teams