Former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke and ex-international Etim Esin have urged the Nigeria Football Federation to prioritise grassroots football development following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup,
Amuneke said the NFF should focus on discovering talent at the grassroots level rather than relying solely on foreign-based players.
“I came through that rank of playing from youth, even when I was in school, I was playing for a club because I was given the opportunity by late coach Yemi Tella,” Amuneke said.
“So why can’t we focus on looking for talent in the grassroots among the youths? Nigeria has players; we have never fallen short of players, they just need the right environment and trust by the football bodies.”
Esin, who represented Nigeria at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, said improved facilities would bridge the gap between home-based and foreign-based players.
“All of us from my time came from the grassroots and the local leagues. The reason why it seems the foreign-based do better than the home-based is because of the facilities they have abroad,
If the NFF can give the players here the good facilities and level of attention and coaching the players abroad get, then Nigeria can have more than enough quality.”
