Former Super Eagles striker and coach, Samson Siasia, has stirred fresh debate about the rising number of foreign-born players in Nigeria’s national football team, saying many of them only opted to play for Nigeria because they were not picked by their countries of birth.
Siasia, who was a key part of Nigeria’s golden football generation in the 1990s, made the statement during an interview on UTVAfrica with Emmanuel Babayaro. He said the difference between players of his generation and those in today’s Super Eagles is clear — and rooted in background, experience, and opportunity.
“The crop of players we had during that era, 1990–1998, were great players. We left the shores of Nigeria, went to Europe and came back to play for the national team,” Siasia said. “Now, we are bringing in players born in Europe to come and play for Nigeria. It’s two different things.”
According to Siasia, many of today’s players were born or raised abroad and only turned to Nigeria because their first-choice countries mostly in Europe did not call them up.
“If they had a chance to play for a European country — if they were great players already in demand — they wouldn’t come to Nigeria,” he added. “We struggled to make it to Europe, but they were born there.”
The Super Eagles squad today features a large number of players who were either born or raised in European countries. Stars like Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, and Felix Agu, among others, were all born abroad and have European football backgrounds.
Many of them switched allegiance to Nigeria later in their careers, usually when it became clear that opportunities with the national teams of their countries of birth such as England, Germany, or the Netherlands — were limited.
Siasia’s comments are not new in Nigerian football circles but they bring renewed attention to the growing reliance on foreign-born players to build a competitive national team.
While some analysts argue that these players bring quality, exposure, and discipline to the Super Eagles, others like Siasia believe their commitment and connection to the country may not be as strong as those who were trained and developed in Nigeria.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, players like Siasia, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, and Nwankwo Kanu were discovered through domestic leagues, youth tournaments, or grassroots scouting. They made their names in Nigeria before moving abroad and eventually representing the country at the highest levels.
Today, however, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) scouts talent globally, looking for players with Nigerian roots in foreign leagues, especially in England, Germany, and the Netherlands. These players are often more technically trained and accustomed to European playing styles, making them valuable additions to the team.
But Siasia is calling for a more balanced approach, one that doesn’t completely overlook homegrown talent.
“We must not abandon our own system,” he said. “If we always rely on players who only see Nigeria as a second option, what message are we sending to the boys working hard in our local academies and leagues?”
The heart of Siasia’s argument lies in national pride and genuine commitment. He believes that representing Nigeria should not be a second-choice option but a top priority.
While he acknowledged that foreign-born players have helped the team in some ways, he warned against building a squad filled with those who would have chosen otherwise if given the opportunity.
