Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has challenged NPFL players to improve their performances to enhance their prospects of breaking into the national team, SportPremi reports.
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle released a 55-man preliminary squad for the 2025 African Cup of Nations on Tuesday, which will be trimmed to a final list of 28 before the December 11 deadline.
Only five of the 55 players currently play in the Nigerian Professional Football League, sending a strong warning to the league’s players.
Despite growing calls over the years to include more home-based players, there has been a persistent preference for selecting Europe-based players to represent the country.
The home-based players hoping to make the final 28-man squad are Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, Abia Warriors’ Adekunle Adeleke, Abdulrasheed Shehu of Niger Tornadoes, Ekeson Okorie of Nasarawa United and Chisom Orji of Warri Wolves.
The African Cup of Nations tournament will hold in Morocco from the 21st of this month, with Nigeria opening their campaign against Tanzania on the 23rd as they hope to overcome their World Cup disappointment.
Omeruo urges improvement from NPFL
Over the years, the Nigerian Professional Football League has faced criticism for producing fewer national team talents compared to several other African leagues.
Kenneth Omeruo believes the players must always take advantage of their call-up to the senior team.
“Most of the players who come to the national team from the local leagues now, they just come to complete the team, to train. They don’t compete.
“You have to come into the national team with the confidence that you want to be selected in games, not just coming to say, ‘Okay, I just came to complete the team, get the experience, and move on’.
“A few even went to the Unity Cup in London, and after that tournament, they went on to sign for clubs overseas”, Omeruo admitted.
Nigeria’s chances at the 2025 AFCON
Nigeria head to the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament hoping to overcome the disappointment of finishing second at the last edition and also missing out on next year’s World Cup.
They are also favorites for the tournament alongside the likes of Senegal, Morocco and Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles finished second in the 2024 edition, losing 2-1 to host country Ivory Coast in the final.
They suffered further heartbreak in the CAF playoff final after suffering a penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month.
Attention will be on players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and others to secure the long-awaited fourth continental title for the country.
