The Champions League is the most prestigious football competition in the world. In the competition, the best footballers on the planet have a golden opportunity to showcase their talents. Chidi Nwanu, former Super Eagles player, was the first Nigerian footballer to appear on the biggest European stage for Anderlecht.
Kanu Nwankwo, Nigeria’s most decorated footballer, also featured in the league. In fact, he won the Champions League while featuring for Ajax Amsterdam, a great outfit in Holland. There was also Daniel Amockachi, and lately, Wilfred Ndidi, who plays for Liecester City, England.
It is however saddening that, over the years, Nigerian players have failed to rule Europe, or at the least feature in the Champions league, whereas players from Spain, France, Italy and other top footballing nations are always present on the world’s biggest stage.
I urge the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other football stakeholders in the country to take a critical look at this issue.
Nigeria needs to be amply represented on the global stage. There are talents in the local league who can be nurtured to become superstars.
Oluwafunke Adebayo: 0807254257
