Shorunmu Urges Super Eagles Players to Prioritize National Assignments after Onazi’s Transfer Setback

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has emphasized the importance of national team commitments following Onazi Ogenyi’s recent transfer setback, urging Super Eagles players to consider the broader implications of their performances.

Onazi, the 24-year-old midfielder, encountered a major obstacle in his proposed move to English Championship side Birmingham City, as he was denied a work permit despite the club reaching an agreement with him while at Turkish club Trabzonspor. The Football Association’s decision hinged on Nigeria’s world ranking over the past two years, ultimately leading to the permit denial for Onazi.

Reflecting on this development, Shorunmu conveyed his empathy for Onazi’s predicament, underscoring the broader lesson it holds for Nigerian players. “Onazi’s situation was a pathetic one and that should serve as a warning to all our players to take national assignments seriously,” Shorunmu expressed to Completesportsnigeria.com.

He went on to highlight the interconnectedness between national team achievements and individual players’ opportunities on the international stage. “It simply means that whatever happens to our national team will, in the long run, have both positive and negative impacts on you as a Nigerian player.”

Shorunmu appealed to players to give their utmost efforts in ensuring Nigeria’s successful qualification for both the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup, safeguarding them against similar challenges in the future. Encouraging Onazi to move forward from this setback, Shorunmu offered his support and encouragement for the talented midfielder’s future endeavors.