NIGERIA AFCON LIST: Sodje Blows Hot Over Total Snub of NPFL Players, Describes Desicion as Disturbing....

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By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi 

Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has sharply criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and head coach Eric Chelle for releasing a 28-man AFCON 2025 squad without a single Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) player, describing the omission as “disturbing and a reflection of how low Nigerian football has dropped.”


Speaking during a phone interview on the Crown 89.9FM Sports Show, Sodje did not hold back. He argued that excluding all home-based players from a major tournament roster sends a dangerous message about the credibility of the domestic league and the country’s development system.


“This is disturbing… it shows the state of our football”


The former Brendford FC of England defense anchor man,said the decision by Chelle and the NFF exposes a deep lack of trust in local talent.


> “It is disturbing that Nigeria can’t find even one player in the NPFL good enough to sit on the bench,” Sodje fumed during the interview.

“It tells you how far our football has dropped. If the national team doesn’t rate the league, how do you expect the world to take our players seriously?”




He warned that the continuous neglect of home-based talent will further weaken a league already struggling with poor infrastructure, low investment, inconsistent officiating, and the mass exodus of young players to inferior foreign leagues.


A sharp contrast with 2013 — when NPFL stars helped win AFCON


Sodje reminded Nigerians that the country’s last Africa Cup of Nations triumph — South Africa 2013 — was driven in part by NPFL stars who proved they could compete with the best on the continent.

The late Stephen Keshi famously invited several home-based players, with standout performers such as:


Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) — scorer of Nigeria’s winning goal in the final vs Burkina Faso


Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers)


Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars)


Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves)


Their contributions helped Nigeria secure its third AFCON title and sparked global recognition for the domestic league.

Sodje contrasted that era with today, saying the difference is evidence of a broken football structure.


> “In 2013, NPFL boys delivered the trophy. Today, not one is considered good enough. That should worry every Nigerian who cares about football.”


“The NFF must fix the system — not bury it”


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