Lagos, Nigeria, January 11, 2024: Former Nigerian international Bright Omokaro voiced concerns about the current composition of the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), stating that the competition has become an open door for benched players from foreign clubs.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Omokaro reflected on the evolving nature of AFCON representation, contrasting it with his playing days in the 1970s when earning a spot in the Nigerian team was a formidable challenge.
Expressing disappointment, Omokaro remarked, “It is sad that we have a handful of players who are not first-choice players in their respective teams, and they are representing Nigeria at the Nations Cup; this is very unfortunate.”
He highlighted a shift in the selection process, asserting that playing for any foreign club, regardless of tier or prominence, has become the easiest route to joining the Super Eagles. In his era, players like John Fasanu had to go the extra mile and work diligently to secure a spot in the national squad.
“In my days, if you adorned the Nigerian jersey, you had obviously proven yourself to be worthy,” Omokaro emphasized.
The retired defender expressed concern about the exclusion of home-based players from the current Super Eagles lineup, calling it disturbing. He proposed the implementation of a potential law in Nigeria requiring teams to include at least 40% home-based players to consciously develop football in the country.
While acknowledging the changing times, Omokaro suggested that if such a strategy had previously worked for Nigerian football, it should be reconsidered for its potential positive impact.
The Super Eagles, three-time champions in 1980, 1994, and 2013, are eyeing their fourth AFCON title in their 20th participation. The tournament is set to kick off on Saturday in Cote d’Ivoire and will run until February 11.
