‘ It is an Insult ‘ – Abia Warriors defender slams Super Eagles handlers for not inviting NPFL out-field players for 2023 AFCON
Abia Warriors defender Ifeanyi Anaemena has slammed Super Eagles handlers over the omission of outfield players from the NPFL in the Nigeria squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
While goalkeepers Ojo Olorunleke of Enyimba International, Amas Obasogie of Bendel Insurance, and Christian Nwoke of Sporting Lagos made the shortlist, there is discontent regarding the absence of outfield players from the domestic league and so the veteran defender joined voice with his opinion on the matter.
Anaemena, who received his first Super Eagles call-up under former national team boss Gernot Rohr, expressed his dissatisfaction, considering it a disrespect to the NPFL.
He asserted that the exclusion sends a message to the world that the domestic league is undervalued. According to Anaemena, such disregard for the NPFL has contributed to players seeking opportunities in other leagues, leading them to choose foreign leagues over their home country.
“It is an insult and it shows to the world that the league is not valued,” Abia Warriors defender, Anamena is quoted by PUNCH.
“This is one of the reasons why some players don’t want to play in the NPFL when they return home from abroad. They’d rather stay at home and wait for offers from other leagues.
“Most NPFL stars go to Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to play football because the league is devalued.”
The Abia Warriors defender also criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), coaches, and those given national assignments, stating that the disrespect toward the league is evident in the absence of NPFL outfield players from the provisional list.
Anaemena believes that the decision to include only goalkeepers suggests a serious challenge in that position and further undermines the status of NPFL players.
“NFF, the coaches, and those that are given national assignments have disrespected the league. That is why a provisional list was made, and it could not have NPFL (outfield) players. They only considered the goalkeepers because they have a serious challenge in that area,” he added.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s AFCON triumph in 2013, Anaemena highlighted the successful inclusion of six home-based players by then-coach Stephen Keshi.
The team, which included NPFL star Sunday Mba, clinched the AFCON title, showcasing the potential of domestic league players.
Anamena who was invited to the Nigeria national team by Genot Rohr added “On my Facebook page, I made a statement about Stephen Keshi helping the NPFL players; he was the coach who proved to the world that NPFL players could do well. We went to the AFCON in 2013 with six NPFL players, and we won.”
The controversy surrounding the exclusion of NPFL outfield players from the AFCON squad has ignited discussions about the value and recognition of the domestic league.
As the 2023 AFCON approaches, debates continue on whether the Nigerian football authorities should reconsider the role of NPFL players and follow the successful template established by Stephen Keshi in 2013.
Saudi Arabia based striker, Odion Ighalo has also criticized the decision to overlook NPFL outfield players from Super Eagles of Nigeria Provisional AFCON squad.
