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Former Super Eagles captain Michael Obi has expressed displeasure over foreign players of Nigerian origin considering the national team as second choice.
The 37-year-old revealed this on ‘The Obi One Podcast’ on Friday while speaking about African talent and their refusal to represent their home country.
The Information Nigeria has learnt that some talented Nigerian players have chosen other countries instead of playing for the Nigerian national team, such as Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Michael Oliseh, Jamal Musiala and others.
Obi said the best African talents needed to make a name for themselves in their home country.
He said: “I have spoken a lot about players not representing people of African descent. We have held meetings with these kids and their parents and said, ‘Listen, you are Nigerian, your dad is Nigerian, your mum is Nigerian, why don’t you represent your country Nigeria?’
read more: “I would love to fix the national team” – Mikel Obi (Video)
“We want to play for England, France or any team, and then they wait, and then they wait and wait.
“When they get to 25 or 26 and haven’t been called up to England, they call Nigeria.
“We shouldn’t be treated as a second choice. We are not a second choice. You should be proud of your African heritage, you should be proud to represent your African country.
“I want the best players to play in Africa, so you better make a decision and stick to it. If you decide you want to play for England, stick with it, sit back and wait.”
“If you don’t get called up, you don’t get called up, but don’t wait until you’re 29, 30, you’re past your best or whatever, and then you go ‘oh, Nigerian Football Federation, I’m ready to play for you now’ No, get lost, man.”
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