Nigeria's Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, has sparked a heated debate by questioning the passion and commitment of Super Eagles players who were not born in Nigeria, according to ScoreNigeria. In a recent interview with Eagle7 FM, the Minister expressed concerns about the "fire and hunger" of the foreign-born players, suggesting that they may not have the same level of dedication as players born in Nigeria.
The Minister's comments come on the heels of the Super Eagles' impressive run to the final of the 2023 AFCON, where they ultimately fell short against the champions. Despite the team's impressive performance, Enoh believes that the quality of the players is still a concern, particularly when it comes to those who were not born in Nigeria.
"We have about 90% of players not born in Nigeria," the Minister said. "Do they have the spirit, the fire of a Nigerian player born in Nigeria?" He went on to suggest that some players in the team are not good enough and that the quality of the players is a major concern.
The Minister's comments have sparked a lively debate among football fans and stakeholders, with some agreeing that the foreign-born players may not have the same level of passion and commitment as players born in Nigeria. Others, however, have argued that the players' birthplace is irrelevant and that their performance on the pitch is what matters most.
The issue of foreign-born players in the Super Eagles has long been a contentious one, with some arguing that it is a necessary evil in order to strengthen the team, while others believe that it undermines the development of homegrown talent. The Minister's comments are likely to add fuel to the fire, and it remains to be seen how the situation will play out in the coming days and weeks.