Alloy Agu: Former Nigeria goalkeeper reiterates NPFL exposure to national team

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Alloy Agu, former goalkeeper of Nigeria’s national team, emphasizes the crucial role of a strong Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in shaping the success of the national team.

Only a goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo made the Nigeria squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire under the tutelage of Jose Peseiro.

Drawing from his experience as both a player and now a coach, Agu recalled the golden era of Nigerian football in the 1990s, highlighting how the NPFL served as a fertile ground for nurturing top talent.

“One thing you must know is if the league of a country progresses, it becomes paramount that the national team will succeed,” Agu told Brila FM.

“I am opportune to be in this situation when the league was very solid, a lot of players came out of it. For instance, in 1990, it was only three players that joined the local players from outside to get to the AFCON.

“You can see how solid the league was and all the players that came through went to defend Nigeria from the onset of the Nations Cup.”

The West African team reached the final of the tournament with a 2-1 loss to host, Cote D’Ivoire, while South Africa  won bronze at the tournament has a majority of their players from the Premier Soccer League (PSL).