African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[SatoPrincess]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

[Mayor of ogba]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

[Salahmu]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

This is our country Club so if there was something in the club we would have known about it so actually we didn't see when they give any chance to those home ballers, the newest person in the club should be Nwabali because he was not our goalkeeper before so they might have even brought him because there was no option for them. If they added new players they would have giving them blame of everything as the coach was looking for fault so that he will say this was the reason why they did not qualified. The importance of having home players is there efforts, they will be far serious than some of this our abroad players.

[Fiatless]

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

In recent times, it was Stephen Keshi who gave the highest slot to home-based players. He included six home-based players in the twenty-three-man squad that went to the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Players like Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers). Sunday Mba had a good outing and scored an important goal.

Source

[MainIbem]

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

In recent times, it was Stephen Keshi who gave the highest slot to home-based players. He included six home-based players in the twenty-three-man squad that went to the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Players like Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers). Sunday Mba had a good outing and scored an important goal.

I once read an article talking about why he did that, his reasons was that some of those playrs playing in European teams always got pride, they barely take the coaches instructions seriously and would come to training sometimes late and using their phones and headphones to listen to music during training so he felt it would make more sense to be opportunity to more home grown players that would take the trainings seriously and give their best for their nation which waa why he included those players that you mentioned, it makes sense in a way though.

[Mayor of ogba]

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

In recent times, it was Stephen Keshi who gave the highest slot to home-based players. He included six home-based players in the twenty-three-man squad that went to the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Players like Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers). Sunday Mba had a good outing and scored an important goal.

Source

Thank you for providing us with this important information because it will help those doubting that Nigeria hasn't given our home-based players the opportunity to play for the Nigeria national team to believe it now, and it will also save me the stress of doing research to justify my statement in my previous post.

[Fiatless]

I once read an article talking about why he did that, his reasons was that some of those playrs playing in European teams always got pride, they barely take the coaches instructions seriously and would come to training sometimes late and using their phones and headphones to listen to music during training so he felt it would make more sense to be opportunity to more home grown players that would take the trainings seriously and give their best for their nation which waa why he included those players that you mentioned, it makes sense in a way though.

Keshi had confidence in these home-based players and believed they earned their spots. Some foreign-based players like US-based Bright Dike and Turkish League midfielder Raheem Lawal, were dropped from the Afcon-bound squad to make space for home-based players.

I belong to the school of thought that believes that the national team should be a blend of local and foreign players. Domestic League players are strong, rugged and determined. While the other set brings experience and exposure to the team.  

[JoyMarsha]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

You can't figure out such a thing. What you can figure out is few not many home base players are selected to play in our national team.

That's how it has been for long time, the Super Eagles team is built around the abroad players, not the home-based players.

I find the cause of this matter to be that our NFF and coach are not ready to build the national team from scratch, to groom and train players for years, to make them a perfect fit for the Super Eagles. They want the already made players to represent our national team

[SatoPrincess]

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

In recent times, it was Stephen Keshi who gave the highest slot to home-based players. He included six home-based players in the twenty-three-man squad that went to the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Players like Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers). Sunday Mba had a good outing and scored an important goal.

Source

2013 was a twelve years ago and Nigeria has had nine managers since that time. Stephen Keshi era was a time when people were happy to watch the Super Eagles. Our 2013 squad won the AFCON and to do it with those players proved the point that we should focus more on developing our talents at home.

[Rruchi man]

I belong to the school of thought that believes that the national team should be a blend of local and foreign players. Domestic League players are strong, rugged and determined. While the other set brings experience and exposure to the team.  

Do you think that corruption in the system has also made its way to team selection for national duties?

I mean, I will not be surprised if such a discovery is made with hard evidence to support it because when I see the national side and also consider the number of talents we may have locally, I feel like we may never get to see most of them have an opportunity to play for the Super Eagles because of corruption.

Who has the same thought?

[Mr Reporter]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

Well I get you are pinpointing the exact year the NFF officially opened the door for home‑based players is a bit tricky. From what I’ve seen, the federation started a formal “home‑based player” push around 2015 under President Amaju Pinnick, aiming to give domestically‑based talent a regular shot at the Super Eagles. The first noticeable wave came in 2016 when the then‑coach (I think it was Sunday Oliseh) called up a handful of league stars for friendlies and the CHAN qualifiers.

[Mayor of ogba]

I used to think that the Nigeria national team would get better if we used more home base players, but when we adopted that method, the Nigeria national team's performance didn't change. We don't need more home base players in the Nigeria national team than the ones playing abroad because it won't solve the Nigerian national team problem. We need to give opportunity to the players that can fight for the Nigeria badge.

I must be missing something then. What year did the Super Eagles adopt that method? Because as far as I’m concerned that never happened. The fact is that the NFF have been going after “big name players” from clubs abroad, some of whom don’t even rate the national team.

I can't really figure out the particular year the NFF gave our home-base players the opportunity to play for Nigeria national team. What I can remember is that some of the home-based players actually impressed the Nigerian national team coach, while some didn't. I will do research on this if I can find out the exact year the NFF adopted that method.

Well I get you are pinpointing the exact year the NFF officially opened the door for home‑based players is a bit tricky. From what I’ve seen, the federation started a formal “home‑based player” push around 2015 under President Amaju Pinnick, aiming to give domestically‑based talent a regular shot at the Super Eagles. The first noticeable wave came in 2016 when the then‑coach (I think it was Sunday Oliseh) called up a handful of league stars for friendlies and the CHAN qualifiers.

Mr Reporter, thank you for your information, but Fiatless has provided me with the information that has justified my statement that Nigeria gave our home-based players the opportunity to play for the Nigeria national team in the past.

[Wakate]

In recent times, it was Stephen Keshi who gave the highest slot to home-based players. He included six home-based players in the twenty-three-man squad that went to the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Players like Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers). Sunday Mba had a good outing and scored an important goal.

Source

I pray may his soul rest in peace...Stephen Keshi was an amazing coach that had a good performance during his time with the super eagles and he was able to make an outstanding achievements compared to most of the coaches the Nigerian football association had hired since then. I am sure that if it was Stephen keshi that handle the super eagles for this world cup qualifier, they would have scaled through without bruises.

[Rruchi man]

I am sure that if it was Stephen keshi that handle the super eagles for this world cup qualifier, they would have scaled through without bruises.

You can't be so sure of that now, because he is late and never had the opportunity with this team to help.

I like to assume that there was less corruption in the NFF then than we have now, and if Keshi had still been coach of this present team, he would have been affected as well by their corruption.

We should stop blaming Chelle for the poor Super Eagles result; he did his best.

[Wakate]

I am sure that if it was Stephen keshi that handle the super eagles for this world cup qualifier, they would have scaled through without bruises.

You can't be so sure of that now, because he is late and never had the opportunity with this team to help.

I like to assume that there was less corruption in the NFF then than we have now, and if Keshi had still been coach of this present team, he would have been affected as well by their corruption.

We should stop blaming Chelle for the poor Super Eagles result; he did his best.

Stephen Keshi was able to give Nigeria the AFCON cup which elevated the Super Eagle to a standard. Stephen Keshi was a good coach and his legacy can never be forgotten because he had paved a way for Nigeria team on both the local and international level. I am very sure that if it was to be Stephen Keshi that handled the Nigerian team for the world cup qualifier, the story would have been different.

[GiftedMAN]

I am sure that if it was Stephen keshi that handle the super eagles for this world cup qualifier, they would have scaled through without bruises.

You can't be so sure of that now, because he is late and never had the opportunity with this team to help.

I like to assume that there was less corruption in the NFF then than we have now, and if Keshi had still been coach of this present team, he would have been affected as well by their corruption.

We should stop blaming Chelle for the poor Super Eagles result; he did his best.

Stephen Keshi was able to give Nigeria the AFCON cup which elevated the Super Eagle to a standard. Stephen Keshi was a good coach and his legacy can never be forgotten because he had paved a way for Nigeria team on both the local and international level. I am very sure that if it was to be Stephen Keshi that handled the Nigerian team for the world cup qualifier, the story would have been different.

It's time the Nigerian fans stops living in the past and face reality. Football doesn't favour a side because they "used" to be good but it's the teams that are good in transitioning from generations to generations that remains relevant. During the time of Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles of Nigeria was bossing African football but unfortunately, the former Nigeria international footballer and coach is no more. I don't expect is to continue dwelling in his past records when we should be talking about how to improve the disappointing national team we're seeing at the moment. No matter how we wish it to happen, Stephen Keshi will never coach the Super Eagles again, the question now should be: who'll make the Nigeria national team as formidable or more formidable than the Stephen Keshi led team? That should be our concern, not deliberating on the past glories.

[Princess Leah]

I am sure that if it was Stephen keshi that handle the super eagles for this world cup qualifier, they would have scaled through without bruises.

You can't be so sure of that now, because he is late and never had the opportunity with this team to help.

I like to assume that there was less corruption in the NFF then than we have now, and if Keshi had still been coach of this present team, he would have been affected as well by their corruption.

We should stop blaming Chelle for the poor Super Eagles result; he did his best.

The coaches job is to give instructions and train the players to give their best on the pitch while following his instructions, and also help build their confidence too, but it's not generally his fault if his team fail to follow his instructions or some individual players perform poorly, I believe that why fans channels their anger and frustration towards coaches is because they feel he's the head of the team and should be able to read the game, observe possible errors and tackle it.

 As for Chelle he tried his best so I've stopped blaming him cause unlike other coaches who's team couldn't qualify for the World Cup he managed to take the super eagles to the play off but his squad was too lazy to follow his instructions that's why they didn't qualify so I don't blame chelle.

[SatoPrincess]

I belong to the school of thought that believes that the national team should be a blend of local and foreign players. Domestic League players are strong, rugged and determined. While the other set brings experience and exposure to the team.  

Do you think that corruption in the system has also made its way to team selection for national duties?

I mean, I will not be surprised if such a discovery is made with hard evidence to support it because when I see the national side and also consider the number of talents we may have locally, I feel like we may never get to see most of them have an opportunity to play for the Super Eagles because of corruption.

Who has the same thought?

I agree with you Rruchi man. Everything the NFF does is for their own benefit so I won’t be surprised if there is an ulterior motive for specifically looking for players abroad.

 I believe we have had this discussion about foreign players or home based players before on the other thread that was locked and I still stand on the opinion that what the Super Eagles needs right now is a overhaul of the current squad and bring in players from the NPFL. Those boys may lack the “exposure” but they will listen to the coach and give their very best to the team because for them it is the biggest stage of their career.

[Fiatless]

I agree with you Rruchi man. Everything the NFF does is for their own benefit so I won’t be surprised if there is an ulterior motive for specifically looking for players abroad.

 I believe we have had this discussion about foreign players or home based players before on the other thread that was locked and I still stand on the opinion that what the Super Eagles needs right now is a overhaul of the current squad and bring in players from the NPFL. Those boys may lack the “exposure” but they will listen to the coach and give their very best to the team because for them it is the biggest stage of their career.

We don't need a totally home-based side. Check out the players of some African countries that are doing well; it's a combination of both home-based and abroad-based players. The Congolese have some players who switch from European countries to Congo. Other teams also have foreign-based players in their squad.  Super Eagles need a good coach who will not be under any form of control. Let him be allowed to choose the best players based on his discretion.

[Frankolala]

I agree with you Rruchi man. Everything the NFF does is for their own benefit so I won’t be surprised if there is an ulterior motive for specifically looking for players abroad.

 I believe we have had this discussion about foreign players or home based players before on the other thread that was locked and I still stand on the opinion that what the Super Eagles needs right now is a overhaul of the current squad and bring in players from the NPFL. Those boys may lack the “exposure” but they will listen to the coach and give their very best to the team because for them it is the biggest stage of their career.

We don't need a totally home-based side. Check out the players of some African countries that are doing well; it's a combination of both home-based and abroad-based players. The Congolese have some players who switch from European countries to Congo. Other teams also have foreign-based players in their squad.  Super Eagles need a good coach who will not be under any form of control. Let him be allowed to choose the best players based on his discretion.

Do you think this will be possible for the Super Eagles to get a coach that the NFF wouldn't manipulate. I don't know why the country cares less about good reputation and prefer to do things in the wrong way that will affect the country’s stand in football. I feel everything about the NFF is sick until, they flush out the entire system in Nigeria leaders and NFF leaders before the Super Eagles will fly higher.