Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has strongly backed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle following the continued exclusion of home-based players from the national team.
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Reacting to the squad list for the upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan, Oparaku insisted that no player from the Nigeria Professional Football League is currently good enough to break into the Nigeria national football team.
“No domestic-based player is ready for this team,” he said.
The former defender argued that the current standard of the domestic league is not at the level required to produce players capable of competing in the national team.
“Until the league improves, it will be difficult for NPFL players to make the team,” he added.
Oparaku emphasized that the coach’s priority should be to select the best players available, regardless of where they play.
“The coach is right to pick the best legs,” he stated.
According to him, structural improvements in the league are necessary before home-based players can consistently challenge for places in the national team.
He concluded by urging football authorities to focus on developing the domestic league, noting that stronger local competitions will eventually produce players capable of competing at the highest level for Nigeria.
