Former Nigeria International, Friday Ekpo has criticized the decision of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s planned Europe scouting program for foreign-born Nigerian players ahead of upcoming international friendlies.
In a chat with Brila.net Ekpo decried the neglect of home based talents.
Ekpo argued that consistent preference for foreign based players limits opportunities for locally developed footballers and weakens their progression into the national team setup.
“I don’t know why the head coach is doing that,” the former player queried.
When do you really want to have the home based players in the national team? You can say you want to have them in this game and in the other game you won’t use them.”
He further questioned the logic of focusing on Europe based players who may have little or no prior connection to Nigerian football.
“Are you going to Europe to look for the one born in Europe and he hasn’t been to Nigeria before and you are pleading with him to play for Nigeria?
“If that’s the case that shouldn’t be happening at all. When are the home based players going to get the experience of being in the national team?”
Ekpo also stressed that local players already gain valuable exposure through domestic competitions and continental tournaments, which should be considered in their development pathway.
“Local league Plyers also get to play sometimes in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.
“It is that type of experience these lads need. Any club that qualifies for the Champions League, they play and players are picked from there.”
Super Eagles Selection Requires Balance
He suggested a more balanced approach, combining home based and foreign based players in friendly matches to build chemistry and provide opportunities for assessment.
“So why can’t they put home based with foreign based players to play Portugal, Poland, Unity Cup? It should not be always the foreign based players.”
Reflecting on his own career, Ekpo stated that he would decline call ups if faced with similar circumstances due to lack of proper integration and preparation.
“If I was still playing and you give me a call up, I will let it go because it will take me time to prepare.
“You are not selecting the kind of friendly games that will serve as preparation for future matches.
“When am I going to really have the feel of World Cup qualifiers?”
Many football stakeholders have also expressed the view that recent friendly matches should provide opportunities for home based players.
Although Chelle has indicated plans to include NPFL players for the Unity Cup, reports suggest he has also continued scouting Europe based players of Nigerian heritage.
Ekpo, who earned 24 caps for the Nigerian national team between 1987 and 1993, spent most of his playing career in the domestic league.
He is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted and influential midfielders in the history of Nigerian club football.
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