Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has taken a huge step to reduce the number of Nigerian players born abroad playing for other countries, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the world cup but around 16 footballers of Nigerian descent represented other countries.
Four players who could have played for Nigeria in Michael Olise of France, and the trio of Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze and Noni Madueke of England are through to the semi fina with their respective countries.
Chelle isn’t entirely pleased with the situation citing Morocco’s success that is a heavily dependent on recruiting players born abroad as the fastest way to bridge the gap with the top playing football countries.
He has now decided on using his present position as the coach of the Nigeria U23 team to blood a lot of young players born abroad, who are playing for top teams in Europe.
Already he has appointed a foreign players scout, who will also work with him in the Super Eagles and will officially work with him as a member of his backroom staff.
The coach believe the approach will help reduce the number and also help with integration of the players into the system before they become full fledged super stars.
