Stop Pampering Foreign-Based Stars, Plateau United Boss Advises Eagles’ Coach

Plateau United coach, Ndubuisi Nduka, fears for the future of the Super Eagles if drastic  changes are not made in the selection process adopted as regards players’ call up to the  national team.

The Super Eagles, complete with a full turn out of foreign-based stars played off the  park and beaten one-nil by an average Guinean side in the  2012 Africa Nations Cup  qualifier in Conakry last Sunday.

Accusing fingers were pointed towards the direction of Coach Austin Eguavoen, but Coach  Nduka absolved the stand in manager of all the blame.

“There is a system, a deeply entrenched system is already in place and for anyone to  expect an acting manager to do away with that system at the blink of an eye is quite  unfair to say the least,” he told SuperSport.com.

“I have been privileged to follow the work of Eguavoen since he was appointed and I know  he has great plans for our football. I am certain that if given the job on a permanent  basis,                                                Eguavoen will do a lot for our  locally based players.”

Nduka said the foreign-based stars are not bad players but faulted their attitude and  commitment levels when on national duty, as the prime reason for Nigeria’s steady decline  as a football playing nation.

“We watch these guys on satellite television every week, the way they  play for European  teams cannot be questioned.

“However, the foreign- based players know that (because of the flawed selection system)  they will always get to play. That explains their lackadaisical approach to matches they  play for the National team. The stars believe they are untouchable.

“So, capable local players must be integrated into the team and made to have a sense of  belonging. They must not be invited for the sole reason of training with the foreign  stars and getting second half cameos when the cause is already lost. If the local lads  know that they stand a decent chance of breaking into the team upon performance, the  foreign stars will be forced to sit up. It is a question of common sense,” Nduka said.

The former Plateau United coach who was the first to tutore Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi at  professional level, also has some words for the officials at the Nigeria Football  Federation, NFF and Nigeria Premier League, NPL.

“If the head is not strong, the body cannot stand. Professionalism at its apex must be  the watch word in our league. Call ups must be done on merit and things must be put in  proper perspective. “We have what it takes to rule football once again on the continent  and can also be a major player on the world stage” he said.