Dem wan kill everything home based: Ex-Nigeria coach Oliseh supports more NPFL players in Super Eagles

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has added his voice to the ongoing debate on the number of players invited to the Super Eagles from the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

Oliseh’s position follows recent comments made by former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo. 

Ahead of the AFCON2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has joined the rest of Africa to submit a provisional squad to CAF.

Per Pulse Sports, Peseiro submitted a 40-man list, with just three players invited from the NPFL.

Amas Obasogie, Christian Nwoke of Sporting Lagos, and Eyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke, all goalkeepers, were the players who made the list from the domestic league.

The list has led to several heated debates about the treatment of home-based players, with ex-Manchester United star, Ighalo, leading the charge. 

Per another report from Pulse Sports, 2019 AFCON Golden Boot winner Odion Ighalo believes more outfield players from the NPFL should have made the list sent to CAF by the Portuguese manager.

“I don’t think it is right not to invite home base players,” Ighalo stated. “This is a 40-man provisional list, at least five to seven players home-based players, just to encourage them,” he added. 

In response to comments from the Saudi Arabia-based striker, 

In response, Oliseh posted his support on X.com, stating that more players should be making the Super Eagles team from the NPFL as there are no superstars as used to be the case from the past.

“If we had superstars like in the 90s and early 2000s playing at D very top world club sides, champions league, etc one could understand the absence of home-based in a 40-man call-up,” Oliseh said. 

“Haba, dem just want kill everything wey be home-based in favour of football business! Time we acted!!” he added.