Don’t waste money on 25 foreign-based players, Chukwu advises NFF

Super Eagles players pose for a team photo before their AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau. Photo: The NFF.

• Eagles’ camp opens next week in Uyo

Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has advised Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to use home-based players for the last group game of the 2024 African Cup of Nations’ (AFCON) qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.

Nigeria will host Sao Tome and Principe in their last AFCON qualifier in Uyo on September 10.
Speaking on the game, yesterday, Chukwu said since the Eagles have already booked their ticket to the AFCON, the coaches should start working on discovering more home-based players to be injected into the main Super Eagles team.

He noted that the apathy to home-based players in the Super Eagles have deprived many talents from the exposure they need to raise their game.

“The NFF should not waste tax payers’ money to invite foreign-based players for the Sao Tome game because whether they win or lose, they will still be at the AFCON.
“This game against Sao Tome should be for the home-based players and we have abundant talents that can compete well with the foreign-based players. But the fact remains that they are not exposed in the Super Eagles.
“With proper blending of the home-based players and quality coaching, they will beat Sao Tome. I can bet you that we have better players in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) than some of the overseas-based players that are always invited to the Eagles,” he said.

Nigeria will host Sao Tome in the AFCON qualifier in Uyo on September 10.

Meanwhile, NFF Director, Media, Ademola Olajire, has explained that the game against Sao Tome would serve as one of the preparatory matches for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers,