Okobi wants more home grown players in the Super Falcons

Nigerian midfielder Ngozi Okobi has called more inclusion of local league players in the Nigeria’s Women’s senior national team, the Super Falcons.

Okobi during an X (Twitter) space interaction with Osasu Obauiwana stated the players plying their trade at home will stand no chance of making the team, with the current influx of players from abroad.

Waldrum handed number of players in the current Super Falcons squad, who were born in the USA to Nigerian parents, their World Cup debut this year.

Toni Payne, Michelle Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Yewande Balogun and Jennifer Echegini all made the squad.

Waldrum, later said more players with Nigerian roots in the United States of America and England have shown interest in playing for the Super Falcons.

“Everyone is Nigerian born, whether you’ve been born abroad or in Nigeria,” Okobi said on Spaces.

“Randy Waldrum brought some players born abroad, and I love their inclusion. They all did well at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and African Cup of Nations, we saw that.”

“But the league was created for a reason. I , Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala are products of the league. Are you just creating the league to play for the U17 and U20?

“They (NWFL players) are good enough to play in the team. Also we had a B team in the past, where they camp players, and that was how the likes of Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu got their chances with the main team. We can recreate that.”

“We have to go back to that period, it’s not just enough be inviting players from abroad, we have to encourage those local league players.

“I feel like they need to be encouraged more by bringing them into the national team.” She said.