A former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oguchukwu Oliseh, throws his weight behind the arguement that NPFL players needs to be included in the Super Eagles AFCON provisional list npflupdates.com reports.
Oliseh was leader of the Super Eagles, leading the team at the 2002 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
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Few days ago, coach Jose Peseiro through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released the official 40-man provisional list. Shockingly, only three players domiciled in the NPFL made the cut; and they are goalkeepers(Ojo Olorunleke, Enyimba, Christian Nwoke, Sporting Lagos, and Amas Obasogie Bendel Insurance).
Football journalists of Nigerian extractions are divided, as some support the exclusion of outfield players, stressing that the league is not organised enough to produce quality players for the AFCON. However, some are of the opinion that exceptional players in the local league deserved a place in the team, as they can fight for their places(citing Stephen Keshi’s winning squad as example).
Adding his voice to the debate, Oliseh, a former Juventus combative midfielder in a Post on his X account on Thursday, said the absence of home-based players isn’t fair. But could be excused if Nigeria had “superstars like in the 90s and early 2000s playing at the very top world club sides, champions league”.
Sunday Oliseh talks about Super Eagles 2023 AFCON provisional list
He however, described the exclusion of NPFL players in the Eagles’ AFCON list as a serious attempt to “kill everything” that is “home-based in favour of football business”.
Also read: Sunday Oliseh May Become Ajax’s New Coach As Fan Protests
If we had superstars like in the 90's and early 2000's playing at D very top world clubsides,champions league etc one could understand d absence of homebased in a 40 man call-up. Haba,dem just want kill everything wey be homebased in favour of football business! Time we acted!! https://t.co/wT8cmSFzug
— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) December 21, 2023
“If we had superstars like in the ’90s and early 2000s playing at the very top world club sides, Champions League, etc, one could understand the absence of home-based in a 40-man call-up,” Oliseh wrote.
“Haba, dem just want kill everything wey be home-based in favour of football business! Time we acted!!”
In another story, CD Chaves playmaker Kelechi Nwakali, reveals he wants to help Nigeria win the 34th edition of AFCON.
Nigeria last won the AFCON (it’s third title) a decade ago, under the tutelage of late coach Stephen Keshi.
Nwakali, who endured a year absence in the Super Eagles, confessed his ready to do anything to ensure that he makes the final 27-man squad for the AFCON (to be hosted in Cote d’Ivoire).
Also read: Sunday Oliseh : Fan Want Nigerian Legend As Super Eagles Coach
“It feels good to be back in the team once again ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations next month and I will do everything to ensure that I make the final squad again. I got the news from a friend last week and I thank God because it is an honor to be considered to play for your fatherland. I just want to keep working hard and I believe that I have a lot to offer the team at the Nations Cup. My dream is to help the team win the tournament again,” the 25-year-old told PUNCH Nigeria.
