Julius Aghahowa: Nigeria’s Europe-based players are less suitable for Super Eagles

By Olu Dare 

Ex-Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa has called for the inclusion of more local-based players in the Super Eagles setup.

The former striker believes having more players from the Nigeria Professional Football League will help the Super Eagles, especially when it comes to tackling opponents from Africa.

The 40-year-old further believes local-based players are hungrier, have more drive, and will perform better when given a chance to play for the national team.

“Even if it’s one or two, let them have their chance. I remember back in the days we had good players that came from the local league and impressed on the national team,” Aghahowa told the media.

“We are the product of the Nigerian league, we came into the national team and proved ourselves.

“When you come like an underdog from the local league, you have a point to prove, and you want to impress not just yourself but the whole fans.

“But when you have the whole team coming from Europe, they don’t really have that rough edges around them to withstand these African teams because in Africa it’s a different ball game.

“But I always have the belief in these players, their techniques; there is no question about it. But when it comes to Africa during the qualifiers, you meet strong opponents, those who are ready to die for the game, and we need to have that in the team.”