Thursday, October 3, 2013
Calling on all foreign-born players: NFF backs up plan to scout and recruit foreign-born players.
The Nigerian Football Federation
finally backs up decision to scout and recruit foreign-born players for the
national team.
The NFF set up a unit to locate and
try to persuade players born to Nigerian parents, but living abroad, to play
for the Super Eagles.
Following how the NFF lost out on
David Alaba, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Okwunwanne, Angelo Ogbonna, Oguchi Onyewu
and Maurice Edu – players who all qualify to play for Nigeria but opted to
represent other nations, this expedited the NFF’s decision to fully scout and
recruit foreign-born players who are eligible for the African Champions.
According to the NFF's technical
director, Emmanuel Ikpeme, the football body has only decided to follow a
normal practice.
"There must be a unit within
the football secretariat handling matters concerning eligible players, it is
the responsibility of the technical department," Ikpeme said.
"The unit's job description
will be to search, identify and try to recruit players abroad who genuinely
want to play for the country.
"We can only complement the
job of the coach because he cannot easily identify all these players on his
own.
"We have great respect for the
talents in the country; it's exactly why they are the reigning African
Champions.
"Those who want to represent
Nigeria will be encouraged, given proper guidance and recommended to selectors.
"For those who may decide not
to or find it unattractive, we will respect their decision and wish them
well."
Capturing them young, young Chelsea
starlet Habib Makanjuola has been picked by Nigeria in a final 21-man squad for
the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament kicks off on October 17.
The gifted Makanjuola caught the attention of all when he hit the training camp recently and he will now be one of the players’ coach Manu Garba will be banking on for success at the World Cup.
The tournament kicks off on October 17.
The gifted Makanjuola caught the attention of all when he hit the training camp recently and he will now be one of the players’ coach Manu Garba will be banking on for success at the World Cup.
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