Nduka Ugbade(M) was the last coach of the Golden Eaglets.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has publicly acknowledged that Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has the final call to players invitation to the national team npflupdates.com reports.
Peseiro will be looking to unveil his final squad list for the 2023 edition of the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
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NFF talks about Jose Peseiro and Super Eagles players invitation
According to the NFF who spoke through its Technical Director, Mr Augustine Egueavoen, the federation lacks the power to invite players. It however suggested that it’s Technical Department may discuss with Peseiro, but he’s the one with the final call.
“We have a coach who is in charge of the senior national team. The same thing is applicable to every country in the world. And we have the technical development who is in charge of football development in the country. Yes, we can discuss, but he has the final say on who he wants to play at the senior team level. He has the final say,” Egueavoen was quoted by Soccernet Nigeria.
There have been call by former Super Eagles player, John Mikel Obi and winger Ahmed Musa for the integration of local-based players into the national team.
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Egueavoen however, stated that it’s still the decision of Peseiro to include or not to include a homebased player in his team. Since Peseiro’s takeover last year, no local-based player in his squad has made it to his starting XI.
“But we will continue to see…he has been to a couple of games within the country and a few stadiums. So it is up to him to say [whether he] wants to include a home-based player or not.” Eguavoen said
And while, understanding the nation’s urge and push to secure the AFCON title, the NFF advocated that Nigerians/supporters allow Peseiro to focus on his duties without undue pressure.
He said; “I think we should just allow him [do his job] We are too much on the guy and [might] make him lose too much concentration.
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“Yes, it is our country, we want to win the next Africa Cup of Nations. It is our target, Nigeria’s target. Everybody is praying that we can put up a good performance and then win the Africa Cup of Nations. But final say, he has the final say on the senior team selection.”
