Nigeria Tijani Babangida Blaming Gernot Rohr For Not Using Home-based Players

For the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Nigeria will face Sierra Leone this month in two-legged tie. The list of players Gernot Rohr unveiled doesn’t include local players. And the President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), Tijani Babangida has blamed Nigeria head coach for not including any home-based players in his squad list.

I think the NFF must discuss that policy with the technical adviser (Rohr). And try to see that local players also get involved and feel they are also part of the game. Because I don’t see that in any country where you are using only professionals without giving chance to the local league. That must stop.”

Rohr previously argued that his best players are based overseas. But Babangida wants preferential treatment to be given to players plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Stephen Keshi was doing that, all the other coaches were doing that.” He continued.

It doesn’t matter they have to play. If they play it is good for the league. But put one or two players on the bench because there are other players that are not even playing. If you are giving 23 players a chance to come into the camp. Two cannot hurt you and cannot kill you. So that two supposed to be awarded to the local league.” The former Ajax Amsterdam winger explained.


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