Why NFF should let Peseiro have say on Players Call Up: Super Eagles Boss Comments Identify rifts with Body

As the Super Eagles prepares for the logger heads with São Tomé and Principé for their qualification for 2023 AFCON, the new eagles boss Peseiro is ensuring he gets the best players that will give the best results and an easy air flight to the tournament.

The Nigeria Football Federation has maintained a policy of having a major input on players call up and squad selections. This practice has caused rifts with some coaches who had manage the national team and players who had also expressed their disappointment towards this policy. 

One of such were former boss was very vocal and expressive towards such practice, Sunday Oliseh and to moderate extent late Steven Keshi. 

CLASH OF INTEREST

NFF board have strong influence in the list of players that were and are to be invited to the squad. This act has drawn criticism from media and fans, which most times are not in the interest of the coach strategic plan. 

It's has been noted from Peseiro's Comments that the two Super Eagles friendlies against Mexico and Equador in the U.S and AFCON qualification match against Sierra Leone in Abuja, that the boss had little or no input in the players that were called up. 

As the touched down at Agadir, their team has suffered injury blow ahead of their encounter. 

The Football Federation has confirmed that William Troost-Ekong and Innocent Bonke did not travel with the Super Eagles to Agadir for the clash against Sao Tome & Principe for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

23 players and a team of Coaches arrived the Coastal Moroccan City early hours, Sunday, ahead of Tomorrow’s game at Stade Adrar.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Nigeria FA identified Ekong and Bonke as the only players left out of the travelling party for the games.

The players both picked up injuries, Ekong during the AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone in Abuja, while Bonke suffered a knock in the friendly against Mexico last month.

It is confirmed both have also returned to the respective club sides where they’ll undergo medical treatment.

Peseiro's Players Call Up Plea 

Meanwhile, speaking ahead of Monday’s game, Super Eagles coach José Peseiro emphasized the need to call up the best players for big games.

Peseiro’s position on invitation to the National Team perhaps stems from concerns he did not have a great input in the Players called up for the Friendlies and AFCON qualifiers.

“We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents,” the Super Eagles head Coach said.

“Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it. As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players.

“It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”