Former Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi calls for the integration of exceptional local-based players into the national team npflupdates.com reports.
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Mikel before his lucrative journey abroad once played in the local league for Plateau United, hence, his experience about the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
According to former Chelsea man, local players needs to included in the national team, as it’s also an avenue for them to showcase their talent.
It’s not relatively important as to whether they have enough game time, but to be around the more experienced european-based players is enough to help them grow.
What Mikel Obi said about integration of local-based players into the Super Eagles
“We need to make sure that we give our local players the chance to be able to go to the national team and showcase their talent and be part of that,” the 2013 AFCON winner told FootballLive Nigeria.
“Even if they don’t get to play as much, for them to be there, to learn, to grow, it’s very important.”
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Mikel expressed excitement over the invitation of Enyimba goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke to the Super Eagles, even though he’s yet to make a debut. The former Stoke City midfielder, called for integration of more local-based players.
“I’m really, really up for that. We need to make sure that we invite more and make sure we integrate them into the national team because it’s so important,”he continued.
Recall in 2013 when Nigeria won its third title, the team Super Eagles team had about three local-based players in AFCON hero, Sunday Mba, Godfrey Oboabona, and Fegor Ogude.
“We need our local players to be able to express themselves, showcase their talent and to show us that they can be able to play and compete in this kind of tournament (AFCON). So yeah, I’m happy for that,” he added.
In a related development, Mikel charged Jose Peseiro and his boys to always get ready to play the big boys at the AFCON. According to the former Middlesbrough midfielder, the African big countries are unavoidable, because at some point towards the title, one must meet with them.
“We have to make sure we beat the big boys,” the former Midfielder said. “To win these kind of trophies you have to make sure you’re ready to play against the big boys,” the former Lyn playmaker said.
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“Senegal, Egypt, the Ivory Coast, and the Moroccans, so we have to make sure that we’re ready for these big games.
“We’ll eventually face them at some point during the tournament, so we have to make sure we’re ready for that.”
