Former Nigerian internationals have urged restraint amid the growing wave of foreign-born footballers committing their futures to the Super Eagles, warning that merit must remain the only yardstick for selection.
Ex-Super Eagles stars Emmanuel Amuneke, Etim Esin and Azubuike Egwuekwe have all called on head coach Eric Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation to tread carefully, insisting that the national team must not lose sight of home-grown talent while exploring options abroad.
Chelle has already secured commitments from defenders Felix Agu and Ryan Alebiosu, as well as Arthur Okonkwo, the Wrexham goalkeeper. Talks are also believed to be ongoing with several other eligible players.
Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, born in London to Nigerian parents, is the latest to declare for the three-time African champions.
Chelle acknowledged the surge in interest from dual-nationality players but was clear that the door would not be flung open without scrutiny.
“We have a couple of players who were born abroad who want to play for the team, and we are looking at how they will fit in. We can’t bring all of them into the team. We will pick those that we know can bring competition to the team, improve the team and also fit our game project,” Chelle said.
While welcoming quality additions, Amuneke, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year, stressed that the country’s football future cannot rest solely on foreign academies.
“The focus should not just be on picking foreign-born players. We must be selective and go only for the best among them. More importantly, we have to continue developing our youths here at home because they remain the foundation of this team,” Amuneke told Punch.
“Nigeria has never fallen short of players. If you develop what you have at the grassroots, you will see them grow. Spain believes in their youth, they develop them and allow them to grow.”
Esin, who featured at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, pointed to structural challenges within the domestic game. According to him, the perceived gulf between foreign-based and home-based players is largely down to the environment.
“My concern is that we should not keep sidelining the home-based players. The reason why it seems the foreign-based do better is because of the facilities they have abroad,” he said.
“If the NFF can give the players here good facilities and the level of attention and coaching that players abroad get, then Nigeria can have more than enough quality. The home-based players deserve a genuine chance.”
Super Eagles Ignoring Home-based Players
Egwuekwe, a member of Nigeria’s victorious squad at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), was even more direct. He warned that ignoring the domestic league sends the wrong message about the state of Nigerian football.
“What I keep saying is that the home-based players are being ignored, and that is not good for our football. The more you encourage home-based players, the more the league grows. When you consistently leave them out, you are telling the world that Nigeria does not have a league,” Egwuekwe told Punch.
“It does not have to be a majority, but at least two, three or four players from the NPFL joining the professionals in camp is important. It encourages younger players coming up, knowing that if they perform well domestically, they can still make the Super Eagles.
“During our time, it was the home-based players who helped qualify Nigeria for major tournaments. The late Stephen Keshi proved what is possible when he took a gamble on local players at the 2013 AFCON, and Sunday Mba delivered the title.”
At the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where Nigeria finished third, the squad included several dual-nationality players such as Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.