Emmanuel Amuneke shares tips for NPFL players to get national call-up

According to the ex Julius Berger and Barcelona star, the state of youth development in the country is poor, providing tips that can help players to find their way into the Super Eagles.

However, Amuneke believes NPFL clubs have not provided a platform that will allow more players from the league to make that progression due to impatience.

The 52-year-old shared his sentiment on the ongoing debate about the quality of the Nigerian league and if its players are good enough for the Super Eagles.

“We have not been able to encourage that scenario,” Amuneke told Pulse Sports.

“I can say I am a product of the league. After my secondary school, about getting into university, I had the opportunity when Julius Berger approached me and I had to make a tough decision —which way do I go?

“To continue my study or go into football?— knowing the situation of combining both is very difficult in the terrain we come from which over here is a plus combining both – the possibility is there.

“But the reality is that we don’t have patience knowing that a player that is young today, in the next five years, will be grown. So, we find it difficult in our culture to encourage young players.

“We have 20 teams in terms of our league in Nigeria and you hardly find young players being registered. I think these are the issues we are shying away from.

“We find it difficult to say ‘okay, let me take this set of U20 boys from the World Cup, incorporate those that are not traveling (out). If it’s possible, split them into the league, into the clubs, (and) from there we continue to monitor and observe them.

“But we can’t go with the mentality of ‘these players came from the World Cup, we expect them to be the best’. No, things are not done that way. The key is being patient and continuing with long-term athletic development plans to aid the transition to the first team.

“Improving repeated sprint ability, ensuring five pillars of health such as sleep, mindset, nutrition, exercise, and education.

“So, when you have all these things in the plan, it can help these players develop and in the future, the same players will have the opportunity or privilege to be invited to the Super Eagles.”