Eguavoen explains why he shelved the plan for seven NPFL non-roster invitees to train with Eagles

Nigeria's caretaker manager Augustine Eguavoen has explained why he shelved the plan for seven Nigeria Professional Football League non-roster invitees to train with the national team in Abuja ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles legend was in touch with players from Enugu Rangers, Kwara United, Kano Pillars and Rivers United among others, only for him to jettison the idea on second thought.

Eguavoen stressed that it made no sense for the seven domestic-based players to train with the team as their clubs have key matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

None of the NPFL stars stood a chance of being included in the traveling squad to Cameroon this week simply because their names were not on the provisional roster submitted to the Confederation of African Football.

"I still have their names, about seven home based players I wanted to be in the midst, train and then see what happens but my hands were so tied that the league only started on the 19th of December," Eguavoen said to NFF TV.

"I know players have to play in their teams, no time to play any friendly games.

"I had to reach out to Tope (Olusesi) from Rangers, (Musa) Afeez from Kwara United, Uche (Onwuansanya) from Rivers United, couple of players but we have to submit a list, so there is no time to actually give them that opportunity to play friendly games but hopefully they will also still have a chance.

"But it really doesn't make sense to bring them now, deny them from playing for their clubsides midweek, weekend, and then we are on the plane to Cameroon, and to go back home. It doesn't really make sense but their chance will come".

Enyimba's John Noble is the only home-based player included in Nigeria's 28-man squad list for the Africa Cup of Nations and definitely starts the tournament as the fourth choice in the pecking order of goalkeepers.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel