AFCON 2023: 2019 topscorer Odion Ighalo clamours for NPFL players’ inclusion

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo believes Nigeria Premier Football Leavie outfield players should have made the 55-man provisional list made by Jose Peseiro for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Portuguese gaffer has submitted a 40-man provisional list to CAF which will later be reduced to a final 27.

In his list, only three players were called up from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and this has got people talking and also caused division between journalists.

All three home-based players selected are goalkeepers as the team struggles mostly in the goalkeeping department with Francis Uzoho making costly mistakes upon mistakes.

Bendel Insurance superstar goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, Sporting Lagos’ Christain Nwoke, and Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke, all made the list of home-based selections.

However, Nigerians are angry that Peseiro snubbed outfield players who are doing better than their foreign-based counterparts, and Odion Ighalo is no different with his take.

The former Manchester United man opined that slots in the provisional list should have been handed to players from the league, as he believes it is important to encourage the stars of the NPFL.

“I don’t think is right not to invite home base players,” he said in a video uploaded by Oma Akatugba on X.

“This is a 40-man list, at least 7 or 5 players should be on the list to encourage them, not inviting them means, you don’t focus on the league.”