Nigerian footballer Adekunle Adeleke emphasized the importance of increasing CHAN (African Nations Championship) and WAFU competitions to benefit local league players during an exclusive interview.
Adeleke played for Abia Warriors, Enyimba and Sporting Lagos before signing with Israeli side Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa FC, believes such tournaments provide vital exposure and build confidence among home-based stars.
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“We need more of the CHAN and WAFU tournaments… It will give us a lot of exposure. The intensity of playing CHAN and WAFU or playing in the continent is different from our league here. So, if we have more of this tournament, it’s going to help the players; it will help the confidence and exposure,” Adeleke said.
He added that the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) should facilitate more international fixtures, enabling home-based players to compete not only on national but also international stages.
Adeleke’s sentiments echo similar calls from other football figures. Former Eagles stars like Adegoke Adelabu have also voiced support for inviting more NPFL players to the national team, arguing that the local league remains a critical talent pool
Why This Matters
International Tournaments: CHAN and WAFU events offer tougher competition and help bridge the gap between domestic and foreign-based talent.
Player Development: Exposure to these tournaments can refine skills and discover new talents.
National Team Growth: A strong home-based core ensures depth and better Long-term succession planning.
With Nigeria preparing for future AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, the call for increased home-based opportunities resonates strongly—and could be key to discovering the next generation of football stars.
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