Super Eagles legend points out one disadvantage Nigerian stars face with missing the World Cup

The three-time African champions will not be at Qatar 2022, which kicks off on Sunday

Super Eagles legend Mutiu Adepoju has lamented Nigeria’s no-show at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which begins on Sunday, November 20.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Mundial after stumbling at the last hurdle, losing on away goal rule to eternal rivals Ghana.

The tournament comes when Nigeria’s best players are flying high in some of the best European leagues.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, the scorer of eight goals, is the top goalscorer in the Italian Serie A, while Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman is not too far behind with six goals.

Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, while Everton’s Alex Iwobi is among the top-rated central midfielders in the Premier League. Genk’s Paul Onuachu is a proper goal machine in Belgium.

These and countless others, though, will have to wait for another four years before they get the chance to appear at the FIFA World Cup.

And former Real Sociedad ace Mutiu Adepoju believes their absence at the football fiesta could hurt their transfer values.

“The present crop of players will miss playing at the highest level, which would have improved their market value,” Adepoju to the NationSport.

“Being in the World Cup is unique and is the ambition of every player to be there. Not being in the World Cup this time around will definitely be a hard one for the players in the Super Eagles. They missed a lifetime opportunity. We hope they are still able to get it.

“I wish things are done the right way. We should try and work more on early preparations, and youth development programmes should be paramount.”

Mutiu Adepoju was a member of the Super Eagles squad in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cup.