Can return of ex-Super Eagles save NPFL’s blushes?

Across the world, some athletes who made fame and fortune abroad return home in the twilight of their careers to serve as role models to emerging stars. Ex-Super Eagles players, including the certified coaches among them, were also encouraged to take up roles in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) after a futile search for national team jobs. GOWON AKPODONOR writes on the chances of re-shaping the Nigerian League by players and managers that have so far returned to the domestic league.

English writer and politician, Joseph Addison, once said that his chronic service to humanity was made famous by giving back in cash and kind. This, perhaps, was to pay the society back for all the natural gifts – talents, opportunities, and exposure – it bestowed on him.

In line with Addison’s philosophy, many footballers from South American countries, as well as, some in Europe find joy in going back to their local leagues to spend the last days of their careers in front of those whose adoration helped to propel them to stardom.

These aging returnees not only provide entertainment to their followers, but they also contribute their quota to guiding emerging talents to develop into superstars with their experience and counsel.
Recently, the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) witnessed the return of players and coaches to the local league after their sojourn abroad.
 
Before now, some players, who could not hit the ground running in Europe returned home to re-launch their careers in the NPFL, but the latest trend is that some players deemed to have had successful careers abroad are returning to light up the local scene.

Among these players are former Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, and Abdullahi Shehu, who have made Kano