It is not right – Ighalo calls out NFF for omitting outfield local players from Peseiro’s provisional AFCON squad

Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has called out the management of the Nigerian Football team after no outfield NPFL player was included in the provisional AFCON squad.

The Al-Wehda forward in a chat with OmaSports TV said the omission of the home-based players indicated the lack of trust in the players in the local league.

“I don’t think it’s right not to invite home-based players because it is a provisional, 40-man list. We should have five to seven home-based players to encourage them. We know they might not make the final list for the tournament, but at least five or seven should be on the list to encourage the players and the league so they can work harder and believe they can make the team in the future,” the former Watford striker mentioned.

He, however, hopes changes will be made moving forward, as the team included just three home-based players, all of whom are goalkeepers.

“Not inviting anyone means you don’t trust them, you don’t focus on the league, you don’t encourage them. It’s just my opinion anyway. I hope next time they’re called up to train with the first team for tournaments like this,” He added.

Fans over social media are fuming especially over the exclusion of Remo-Stars right wing-back, Sadiq Ismail, who has notched up nine assists in fourteen NPFL games this season.

I sent my crew to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to get the thoughts of Ex @NGSuperEagles striker, @ighalojude on the heated debate on twitter over the exclusion of outfield home based players from the super eagles provisional list for the AFCON. pic.twitter.com/8A6LvamuVs

— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) December 20, 2023