Former Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie has cautioned the Nigeria Football Federation against aggressively pursuing foreign-born players, warning that it could erode the pride of representing Nigeria.
The ex-West Bromwich Albion forward criticised what he described as excessive efforts to convince dual-nationality players to switch allegiance to the Nigeria national football team.
His comments come amid reported interest in players of Nigerian descent such as Michael Kayode, Caleb Okoli, and Kingsley Ehizibue.
Speaking during an interview on Brila FM, Odemwingie stressed that wearing the national jersey should be an honour, not something players expect incentives for.
“These days it seems like they want to be pampered. For me, I never needed any pampering,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the growing trend of players of Nigerian heritage opting to represent European countries, warning it could weaken Nigeria’s chances on the global stage.
“Imagine if one day the entire England squad is made up of Nigerians. How can Nigeria win the World Cup when our talents are serving other countries?” he added.
Odemwingie, who represented Nigeria between 2002 and 2014, acknowledged the advantages of European football systems but urged authorities to prioritise grassroots and local player development.
