Pinnick insists he doesn’t regret Home-based Super Eagles comments

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reiterated the comments he made concerning the development of the local league players ahead of the home-based Super Eagles friendly against Mexico 

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has said he doesn’t regret his comments about stopping players from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) from moving to the lowly-rated European Leagues.

Before the home-based Super Eagles heavy loss to Mexico, Pinnick revealed the Federation’s plans for the domestic league players.

He revealed that NFF would stop the players from moving to obscure leagues in Europe and Asia. He added that the Federation would stop issuing ICT to clubs in these regions.

“We will soon stop issuing ICT to our top league players going to these clubs. Our dream is to see you play for the top clubs in Europe,” Pinnick said in his address to the players.

The comments drew criticism from many quarters as it is not legal.  But speaking later on the issue, Pinnick insists he doesn’t regret the comments, saying he’s only looking out for the players.

“I don’t have regret saying what that I said about the home-based players going to obscure leagues and clubs, Pinnick told the media on Tuesday.

Only players like Taiye Taiwo and Ahmed Musa have moved from the NPFL to one of Europe’s major leagues in recent years.