The exclusion of Nigerian players from the Africa XI announced at the just-concluded 2015 Glo-CAF Awards, according to a former coach of the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde, is because the administrators have not done enough to develop the country’s football.

Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named the continent’s 2015 best footballer, denying four-time winner, Yaya Toure, and Ghanaian Andre Ayew the crown. Nigeria’s only awards came from Oghenekaro Etebo and Victor Osimhen, who won the Most Promising Talent of the Year and, Youth Player of the Year awards respectively.

Speaking to The Guardian at the weekend, Onigbinde said Nigerians unjustly criticise the country’s players each time they failed to win the African Player of the Year award, adding, “These players may have tried all they could, but a situation which looks like ‘monkey dey work bamboon dey chop’ may have been part of the reasons for these abysmal showing.

Their efforts may not be a deliberate reaction, it could be spontaneous, a sort of unconscious reaction. I am not exonerating these players. But what I am saying is that why don’t we do things the way they are supposed to be done.
“For over 50 years now, I have been asking somebody to give me a football developmental programme for this country, yet nobody has been able to give me an answer. If the administrators cannot develop themselves, then what type of development are you expecting from these players?”

The Modakeke high chief, who also expressed reservation over the attitude of various coaches appointed by the football authority to oversee the senior national team, complained that these players are not given the opportunity to prove their worth.

There are boys who are hungry to make names for themselves and if given the the right atmosphere, of course they will want to improve themselves and prove a point.

What I am saying is that our administrators are not doing enough to encourage these boys, which was why the CHAN was established in the first place. This tournament is for them too to have the privilege of exposing themselves in international engagements. And sooner than later, the country can start dreaming of the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Ikpeba, J.J. Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo etc.”