The Ibrahim Musa Gusau led Nigeria Football Federation NFF, is willing to recruit more abroad-born Nigerians who are willing and ready to play for Nigeria.
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The Nigeria’s football governing body said it’s interested and willing to collaborate with Nigerians of dual citizenship with talents.
In the early 2000s players of dual citizenship, especially those born in the UK seldom honour Nigeria’s invitations. And then, Nigeria’s national teams across all levels, always suffer insufficient abroad-born players. Only very few Nigerians born abroad, honour national teams invitations.
But presently, reverse is the case, as many abroad-born Nigerians are willing and ready to play of Nigeria. And this pattern of approaching abroad-born Nigerians, was adopted during the regime of former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
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Meanwhile, speculations by fans, has it that the present abroad-born players do not play for Nigeria with their hearts. And that they also see the Super Eagles as a second option, while hoping for an invitation by foreign countries(of their birth or naturalization).
Whether or not the fans are right, it’s important that the Nigeria Football Federation, integrate willing Nigerians born abroad into the national teams. Because, it will give coaches more options to chose from; and also bring about competition in the national teams.
And in fact, Nigeria had lost a lot of good players to foreign countries. This is probably because of lack of persistent convincing approach made to the players. And this is what Ibrahim Gusau is out to stop and enrich our national teams.
NFF gives reason for scouting Nigerian footballers born abroad
“A Nigerian is a Nigerian regardless of where they are born. And they have equal rights to the national teams like any other Nigerian. We will set up a committee that will be saddled with the scouting of these players. A robust scouting department. So that when they are called up you won’t hear stories like they’re not good enough,” he said in radio and was reported by Owngoal Nigeria.
“The idea is to build with the youth teams. And players born abroad to get a perfect team for the Super Eagles. That I think should be the foremost step in repositioning our football to claim our top spot in Africa and the world at large.”
Congratulations to the NFF for making this decision – a Nigerian is a Nigerian whether born in Nigeria or abroad. It’s not that these players don’t give their all , it’s that these players get paid big money by their clubs and fear getting injured on poor quality pitches . If the NFF ensure that they come to quality pitches then the best of these players wil be seen. If I lie the. Bring the likes of European and South American teams and see their performance