Former Nigeria international Friday Ekpo has praised Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle for his decision to include domestic league players in the squad ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup.
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With Nigeria preparing for the next international window, Chelle has indicated that home-based players will be given an opportunity, a move Ekpo believes is long overdue.
“I’ve always believed in them,” he said.
According to the former midfielder, players in the Nigerian league possess the talent and quality required to compete at the highest level, but have often been overlooked in favour of foreign-based stars.
“They’ve been ignored for too long,” he implied.
Ekpo described the decision as a positive step toward creating a more balanced and inclusive national team, where selection is based on merit rather than location.
“This is important,” he noted.
He also emphasized that giving domestic players a chance will not only strengthen the Super Eagles but also boost the profile and competitiveness of the local league.
“It motivates everyone,” he added.
For Ekpo, the upcoming Unity Cup represents an ideal platform to assess these players and integrate them into the team.
“This is their moment,” he stressed.
His comments reflect a broader push within Nigerian football to reconnect the national team with the domestic league and ensure that local talents are not left behind.
As the squad announcement approaches, attention will be on whether Chelle follows through on his plans and how these players perform if given the opportunity.
For Ekpo, the message is clear.
The talent is there.
Now it must be trusted.
Because in football, opportunity is everything.
