Former Nigeria international Bright Omokaro has blamed the Nigeria Football Fedeartion (NFF) for Super Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for 2022 World Cup following the reliance on foreign-based players.
According to Omokaro, the NFF gives preferential treatment to players who are either foreign-born or based overseas, compared to the local talent in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in the return leg encounter of the World Cup final play-offs after a goalless draw in the first leg in Kumasi, hence the Black Stars sealed qualification on the away goals rule.
“In the past, a player can’t get an automatic shirt in the Eagles… he has to fight for it with other players in his position,” said Omokaro, as quoted by The Guardian.
“But now, the NFF does not pay attention to the NPFL and grassroots football anymore to discover talents. How will the Super Eagles develop with this nonchalant attitude?
“Samuel Eto’o’s position on grassroots football development is a pointer that he knows the importance of grassroots football growth.
“Pinnick does not understand this because he does not know anything about football. Failure to qualify for the World Cup has exposed the maladministration of the nation’s football.
“Retired internationals like me were discovered in Nigeria and I wonder why the NFF keeps neglecting the domestic scene, which used to be the foundation of the Super Eagles in the past.”
Ghana’s qualification denied Nigeria a fourth successive outing at the World Cup finals.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18.