Adegoke Adelabu, a former Green Eagles winger and sports scientist, has shed light on the prevailing indifference of many Nigerian ex-national team players towards the local league, responding to recent comments made by former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha, who expressed a preference for watching the English Premier League (EPL) over Nigeria’s domestic league.
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Adelabu, who once played for the IICC Shooting Star of Ibadan, offered insights into the complexities of the issue. He pointed out that a significant factor contributing to ex-players disinterest in the local league is the long-standing aspiration of many Nigerian footballers to play abroad.
Adegoke Adelabu stressed that the way players are trained often fails to instill the pride and integrity associated with representing their nation.
Moreover, Adelabu highlighted a fundamental image problem within Nigerian football management. He noted that officials often prioritize foreign-based players over their homegrown counterparts, creating a sense of inferiority among the local talents. This emphasis on overseas talent can lead local players to seek opportunities abroad and disconnect emotionally from their roots.
Adegoke Adelabu also criticized the focus on immediate gratification within Nigerian football, suggesting that the pursuit of personal gain sometimes overshadows national development. He emphasized the need for a shift towards long-term development and nurturing players’ emotional connections to their country.
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Drawing comparisons with international practices, Adelabu pointed out that other nations prioritize their players’ well-being and emotional connections to the national team. He cited instances where foreign clubs were influenced by national teams and players’ preferences, showcasing the value placed on emotional connections.
Adelabu called for a comprehensive understanding of human relations within Nigerian football management, highlighting the importance of harnessing the physical, psychological, and emotional potentials of footballers and athletes to enhance their value to the nation.
In conclusion, Adelabu emphasized the need for Nigerian football to address these challenges and create an environment that fosters the emotional connection of players to their homeland. He highlighted recent incidents, such as FIFA paying players directly and global embarrassments, as indicators of the urgent need for reform within Nigerian football.
Ultimately, his insights shed light on the complex factors that contribute to the lack of attention given to the local league by Nigerian ex-national players.
