Former Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo has condemned the exclusion of Home based players following the release of the 40-man list of players invited for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by head coach Jose Peseiro and NFF.
The Al Wehda forward who commenced his career at the defunct Julius Berger said it’s illogical that 5 to 7 Nigerian League players didn’t make the list. He said the development means that the Federation doesn’t encourage the league.
“ I don’t think it is right not to invite home base players, this is a 40-man list, at least 7 to 5 players should be on the list to encourage them, not inviting them means, you don’t focus on the league”.
Ighalo represented the Super Eagles in 2015 and has been capped 36 times, scoring 16 goals.
Many football fans have criticized NFF and Jose Peseiro who neglected players from the local league, prioritizing abroad-based players. Many of them feel that the continuous struggle in the goalkeeping department was the reason a few of the local players got a slot.
