“We’re not 2nd choice” – 2016 Olympic bronze medallist warns Nigeria-eligible footballers
Broken-down Sizable Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi has criticized gamers with twin nationalities who prioritize taking part in for nations in Europe over their African nations of initiating put, Soccernet.ng reports.
Over the years, there has been a rising choice of gamers of African initiating put who possess had been eligible to tell European nations. Some changed into voters of due to they were born there, whereas others had one international parent.
Attributable to this, Nigeria possess misplaced abilities like Jamal Musiala, Dele Alli, Bukayo Saka, and loads others.
Meanwhile, there are others who decided to substitute to Nigeria due to they were not called as much as the nationwide crew of the European crew they desired to play for.
Broken-down Sizable Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi has expressed his displeasure on the mission, as he believes that taking part in for Nigeria desires to be a no-brainer.
“They are saying they are attempting to play for England, France, or any other nation. After which, they wait and so that they have waiting and waiting, then when they get to 25 or 26 and so that they don’t get a name-up, they name Nigeria,” Mikel mentioned on his ObiOne podcast.
“We shouldn’t be treated as 2nd alternate concepts, we’re not 2nd alternate concepts. You desires to bask in with your African roots, you desires to be proud to tell your African nation.
“I’d like the finest gamers to play in Africa, so you rather get a name and stand by it, must you judge it’s probably you’ll perhaps perhaps perhaps also probably be attempting to play for England, persist with it, sit down and wait.
“If you don’t get a name up, then you definately don’t get a name-up. Don’t wait till you’re 29 or 30 must you’re previous your finest before calling Nigeria.
Thanks to the elements surrounding the Sizable Eagles and the appeal to of taking part in for the tip international nations, most gamers with twin nationalities continuously decide to play for the latter. Nonetheless, there are a few like Alex Iwobi, Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, and Joe Aribo, who opted to play for Nigeria early of their occupation.