Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL, Prince Davidson Owumi has congratulated Enyimba International FC goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke and Stanley Nwabali for representing the domestic league well in the Super Eagles at the recently concluded AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, Completesports.com reports.
The Super Eagles lost to host Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the final of AFCON 2023. The Federal Government of Nigeria has since rewarded the team with Houses and lands for gallant performance in reaching the final.
“I am happy for the gallantry of the Super Eagles who against all odds reached the final of AFCON 2023 with Nwabali who joined South African club Chippa United from Katsina United a little over a year ago as first-choice goalkeeper of Super Eagles and Olorunleke as one of the backup goalkeepers,” Owumi told Completesports.com.
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“Nwabali who before joining Chippa United featured for NPFL clubs like Enyimba International, Lobi Stars and Katsina United was exceptional throughout the AFCON 2023 tournament pulling saves that took us to the final. He made us proud and showed the world that our league has more of his likes waiting for opportunity to blossom
“I am appealing to Nigeria Football Federation to consider making it mandatory for the inclusion of more than three players in every Super Eagles’ invitations in other to unearth more talents and give the domestic players hope of playing for the national without going abroad
“We have quality players that are waiting for just the opportunity to break into Super Eagles. The only way for them is for national team selectors to keep on inviting them to fight for places with their overseas-based counterparts. That Nwabali became number one in just one year after leaving NPFL is a testament that we have plenty of his kind in the league,” the onetime Nigerian league top scorer stated.
On the rewards given to the Super Eagles by the Federal Government, Owumi said it was well deserved and commended President Tinubu for the awards and recognition adding that this will propel the players to do more for the country.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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COMMENTS
I agree with prince Owumi, Keshi template of selection/invitation should be pursued vigorously
In fact, from now on, we need only home based players in the SE.
CHAN tournament is not enough to unearth home based players. We have to invite them to the biggest stage.
So we can be player agents and do deals. Not to mention collecting bribes from the local players.
When the home base player plays one match, just one match for SE, off he goes to Malta, Cyprus or Cambodia. Then he becomes foreign based. Accordingly, he is no longer home based, and is no longer eligible for SE invite. Hahahaha, let us continue running circles around ourselves! NONSENSE!