Former Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has expressed disapproval of the Nigerian national team’s decision to omit home-based players from the 40-man provisional list for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria – three time African champions – are in the same group with hosts, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, for the continental showpiece which begins in January.
In an exclusive interview with Omasports in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ighalo emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent from the domestic league.
“I don’t think it is right not to include any home-based player. This is a provisional list. 40 players. At least there should be 5-7 home based players just to encourage them.”
Despite acknowledging that not all home-based players would make the final cut, Ighalo argued that their inclusion would serve as motivation for both the team and the players.
“Even though we know that you won’t keep anyone in the final list. But it will encourage the team and players to work hard more and believe in the future,” he explained.
The former striker expressed concerns about the message the exclusion sends, stating, “But not inviting anyone means you don’t trust them, you are not focused on the league and you are not encouraging them.”
Ighalo concluded by expressing hope for a change in approach in the future, urging the national team management to provide opportunities for home-based players to train with the first team.
“I hope next time they give home-based players the opportunity to be there and just to train with the first team.”