AFCON 2023: We’re not stupid – Peseiro gives condition to invite NPFL players

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, stated during his press conference in Abidjan on Saturday that only talented players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) would receive invitations to the national team. Peseiro emphasized that the selection would be based on the players’ quality and abilities, irrespective of the league they currently participate in.

While addressing the media ahead of Nigeria’s opening fixture at the 2023 African Cup of Nations against Equatorial Guinea, the Portuguese coach clarified that he had not ruled out the possibility of inviting players from the local league. He mentioned the inclusion of Ojo Olorunleke in the team and expressed his openness to inviting other players from the NPFL if they demonstrated the required qualities.

Peseiro affirmed, “I have not said that no player in the local league can play for the Super Eagles, but I need to see if you have the qualities and capacities to play. Ojo [Olorunleke] is in the team, but if I see other players with quality, I will invite them. We coaches are not stupid. I need to choose the best players; if a local league player is better than the one outside, I will call him.”