An Increase in Diaspora Players
Lately, there have been so many diaspora players playing for Nigeria that it has even made headline news and is something that could hit fever pitch in the future. It could even and up at the stage where eleven diaspora players take to the field to represent Nigeria. At the time of writing, there are six diaspora players in Gernot Rohr's squad.
Buy why have Nigerian sports authorities seemed to have lost interest in home-grown talent? Maybe those in charge of selecting players to play for the Super Eagles believe that they will not have as much work to do when the current selection had their football skills nurtured in countries such as Germany and England. There are those from the Premier League who have been convinced to side with Nigeria and have gone on to have a successful international career.
One of these examples is Victor Moses. He played for England at the youth level, until he was convinced by Stephen Keshi to ditch England and play for the country of his birth instead. It all worked out incredibly well, when in 2013, Moses memorably helped Nigeria lift the AFCON trophy for the third time. There were many supporters, in Nigeria and across the world, as was attested by the ferocity of the action on the best betting sites, that were absolutely delighted by this outcome and had complete confidence on Nigeria to win the 2013 AFCON based on the strength of its squad.
What Exactly Do the Diaspora Bring to Nigeria?
Well, the answer to this question is quite a lot. At the time of writing, Nigeria's central defense partnership is made up of two players of mixed heritage - Netherlands-born William Troost-Ekong, who plays for Watford in the English Championship, and Leon Balogun, who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. They have formed a great bond between them and share 76 caps - Balogun has 32 and Ekong has 44.
Rohr is priming Kevin Akpoguma, who was born in Germany, to take over the centre-back mantle, meaning that he is not even thinking about having a home-grown player in that department. Akpoguma can also play at right-back and will be a mainstay of the Nigerian national team for some time to come.
At the time of writing, Tyronne Ebuehi is playing at right-back, and there is Fulham's Ola Aina not far behind him in the peking order, meaning that Rohr's defensive line is almost manned by players from overseas. Kingsley Ehizibue, a Germany-based diaspora defender who plays for Koln, will soon be added to the mix as well. He is yet to get a cap for his country, but he definitely will not have to wait much longer.
When it comes to the midfield and attack, the diaspora players are starting to wrangle their way in there too. Everton's Alex Iwobi and Rangers' Joe Aribo are currently the mainstays of Nigeria's midfield, while England interests and international FIFA clearances are stalling the arrival of the previously mentioned Lookman and Eze.
Michael Olise from Reading and Lesley Ugochukwu are also top targets and are seen as players that have a long future with the Super Eagles. By the time these youngsters join the fray, apart from Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi and Galtasaray's Oghenekaro Etebo, home-grown players might have been shut out completely.
Rohr has not his his interest in Nonso Madueke, who plays for PSV in the Dutch league. The young striker, who has scored five goals this season, is eligible to play for England as that is where he was born. If he decided to play for the country of his ancestors, there is no doubt that he will add more attacking depth to the Super Eagles.
Let us not forget about Carl Ikeme, the former Wolves keeper, that would have been Nigeria's undisputed first-choice keeper, had he not been diagnosed with Leukemia and retired soon after. Ikeme was brought into the team by former coach, Sunday Oliseh, when he had a huge bust up with Vincent Enyeama, and he did not disappoint.
What Type of Success Has Rohr Had?
For Rohr, these diaspora players have made his job quite a bit easier, but has he achieved the success that he wanted with them? It can be argued that his diaspora players have not done too badly in a poor Nigeria team, when compared to the standard of the national team in the past. In 1994, they were ranked 5th in the FIFA World Ranking, and at this moment in time they are 35th.
Building a great team with exciting diaspora players cannot be ruled out, especially if he can get the players that we mentioned above to pledge their allegiance to the Super Eagles, but it remains for us to see what becomes of the Nigeria team in the adversity of their poor performances of late.
Nigeria has never been short of players from abroad and more eligible players are being discovered at the expense of home-grown players who also perform well in Europe and other leagues across the world. However, from what we have seen, it seems that Rohr's Eagles will concentrate mostly on diaspora players, while the local boys will have to take a back seat.
Is this right or wrong? Well, we guess that it will depend on how successful Nigeria go onto be. If they start winning games and trophies again, nobody will probably bat an eye. However, if it all goes pear-shaped, then people will start to question what exactly it is that these diaspora players bring to the team.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
I'm Building PDP, Not Tearing it Apart - Wike Addresses The Press (Video)
VIDEO: Man Caught While Waiting For a Minor he Had Solicited S£x From Online
Emotional Moment Femi Adebayo Presented His 2025 AMVCA Trophies to His Dad, Adebayo Salami
Rapper, Phyno Unveils His Daughter, Shares Adorable Video to Mark Her Second Birthday
Ex Madrid Player, Xabi Alonso Seals Managerial Move To Real Madrid As Ancelotti Bows Out
Retired Teacher, Mallam Kabiru Killed, Wife Abducted As Bandits Invade Zamfara School Quarters
Army Busts Gunrunning Syndicate in Plateau, Two Arrested With AK-47 (Photos)
Ringside Rumble? Fans Hype Possible Boxing Showdown Between Small Doctor And Portable