Mexico vs Nigeria: What Sports Minister, Sunday Dare Told Super Eagles Players During Visit To Training In Abuja

The Minister of Youth and sports Development, Sunday Dare has once again canvassed for more injection of home- based players into the mainstream Super Eagles.

Speaking on Tuesday when he visited the Home- based Eagles at their training in Abuja, Dare said, "I’m happy that the conversation and the meetings we’ve had in  the past several months with the NFF about changing the phase of our football development is beginning to bear fruits.

“I’m an advocate of a blend of home -based and foreign- based players to create a level playing field. They are all talented, so we need to  give them equal chance to compete for the Nigerian jersey. That has been the history and tradition of Nigerian soccer. So the opportunities should be the same. Let them fight for the spots. Whether home or foreign based, it’s your talent that counts.”

On the friendly game against Mexico in the United States, the Minister said "It really gladdened my heart when I heard that the team will be traveling to the  USA to play a friendly against Mexico.

“The Friendly is important as you have an opportunity to showcase your talents and also displace some players in the main  team.

"Ensure that when you go out there, you make  this country proud.

“I’m sure the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not just make this a show, I’m sure that Nigerians will see 3-6 of you eventually end up in the main  Super Eagles.

“I watch the professional league very closely, I’ve seen  some of the fantastic goals goals some of you have scored. As I  walked into your training, I asked if the 5 top goal scorers in the domestic  league are in this team and I was told that  just 4 of them  are in. This is  important because a goal is a goal, If you’re placed in the team  and you play well you will score goals for this country.

"So you have an opportunity to improve yourself. I’m sure sure when next we play our Nations or World Cup qualifiers, we are going to  to see home and foreign- based players blend together which would mean that this country is maximizing her talents.

“I’m sure you’ll do the country proud. It might not count with FIFA because It’s friendly but it’s going to count for us,” he concluded.