In a candid and impassioned episode of his podcast, “The Obi One,” former Super Eagles captain Mikel John Obi issued a strong message to foreign-born players of Nigerian descent, urging them not to treat their country of origin as a fallback option for international call-ups. The episode, released on Friday, delves into the reluctance of African talents to represent their fatherland, despite their roots.
The global influence of Nigerian footballers is undeniable, with stars like Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Jamal Musiala making headlines across various continents. Yet, Obi’s remarks highlight a persistent issue within this diaspora: the hesitation to don the Nigerian jersey.
“I’ve talked so much about players not representing their African roots,” Obi stated on his podcast. “We’ve held meetings with these kids, with their parents and said, ‘Listen, you are Nigerian, your dad is Nigerian, your mum is Nigerian, why don’t you represent your fatherland, Nigeria?’ But they say, ‘We wanna play for England, France, whatever it is,’ and then they wait, and then they keep waiting and keep waiting.”
The 37-year-old former Chelsea midfielder emphasized that Nigeria and other African nations should not be seen as secondary choices. “When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call-up from England, then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated as second options. We’re not second options. You should be proud of your African roots, you should be proud to represent your African country.”
Obi’s frustration is rooted in the pattern of talented Nigerians opting to represent other nations, a list that includes the likes of Saka, Eze, Olise, and Musiala. While early exposure and integration into the cultures of their resident countries often explain these choices, Obi remains steadfast in his belief that Africa needs its best players to commit early to their countries of origin.
“I want the best players to play in Africa, so you’d rather make a decision and stand by it,” he declared. “If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it, sit and wait. If you don’t get a call-up, you don’t get a call-up, but don’t wait until 29, 30, you’ve passed your best or whatever it is, then you’re ‘Oh, Nigerian FA, I’m ready to play for you now.’ No, eff off mate.”
Obi’s pointed remarks come at a crucial time for African football, where the potential to harness homegrown talent is immense.
