NFF wrong on Ibe, Akpom – Kpakor

Jordon Ibe
| credits: AFP

Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist Moses Kpakor has come out strongly against moves by the Nigeria Football Federation to pressure English Premier League players   Jordon Ibe, Chuba Akpom and other     players of Nigerian descent plying their trade in Europe to switch their international allegiance and play for the country of their fathers.

After winning the battle to land Arsenal midfielder Alex   Iwobi, and getting positive results in the pursuit of another Arsenal starlet Semi Ajayi,   and Southampton’s   Joshua Debayo, the NFF has since declared an interest in Liverpool prodigy Ibe and Arsenal attacker Akpom.

Nineteen-year-old Ibe, who was born in London, has represented England at Under-18 and Under-19 levels. However, the teenager is still eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

Akpom, who was also born in London, has represented England at youth levels. The 19-year-old   is also eligible to play for Nigeria.

The NFF President boss Amaju Pinnick last month met with the parents of some Anglo-Nigerian players including Akpom in England – apparently to persuade their children to play for Nigeria.

However, Akpom says playing the England at senior levels is his focus.

“Hopefully still playing for Arsenal and the England senior team too. I want to emulate the Arsenal legends,” he tweeted.

A member of the NFF technical committee Victor Ikpeba said recently that the body was monitoring Ibe’s performances.

“The federation is looking at Jordon Ibe,” the former Nigeria attacker was quoted by Express.co.uk as saying.

“We need to change our philosophy and bring in these young players to help out especially after we missed out on the Africa Cup of Nations (in Equatorial Guinea).”

But former Super Eagles midfielder Kpakor has condemned the move, saying it could create confusion in the national team.


 

“We repeat the same mistakes all over again. It’s not the responsibility of the football association to look for players for the national team.

“ It’s the responsibility of the coach to invite or look for players, because they are going to work with him.

“The coach   takes the blame for defeats and credit for victories. He should be allowed to decide if he wants Ibe or Akpom in his team.

“If the coach wants any Nigerian player born in Europe to play for the national team, the duty of the FA is to make the player available.

“He may be interested in some domestic league players, not the players the NFF wants.

“The move will boomerang on the team because the NFF officials will put the coach under pressure to feature the players (born overseas) in matches and this will create confusion.”

Kpakor added, “I don’t think the players will represent Nigeria, because in Europe players respect their coaches and listen to them. They know it’s only the coach who can guarantee them playing time in the team, not club or FA officials.

“These players are not used to our system in Nigeria. They will be ready to play for Nigeria if it’s the coach who is talking to them. I understand Akpom is not interested in playing for Nigeria.”

The former BBC Lions captain urged the NFF to learn from the mistakes made by the Ghana FA when they wanted Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck to play for the Black Stars.

“Welbeck   turned down the chance of playing for Ghana (the country of his parents) to play for England where he was born and raised because Fabio Capello (then England manager) spoke to him, assuring him that he was part of plans,” the former Sharks coach said.

“The player would probably have opted for Ghana if the coach (Kwesi Appiah) was the one talking to him, not the FA officials.

“We must learn from past mistakes. (Nigeria coach) Stephen Keshi came under pressure from some Nigerians to take certain players to the World Cup in Brazil last year.

“He also came under pressure to invite certain players for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“We failed to qualify for the tournament because we had two FAs during the qualifiers.”

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The 1990 African Cup Winners’ Cup winner called for the resolution of the contract dispute between his ex-Eagles teammate Keshi and the NFF “in the interest of the country”.

He said, “I don’t see anything wrong with Keshi remaining in charge of the Eagles. He has proved himself and he deserves respect.

“But if the NFF doesn’t want him, they should appoint another coach, because the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are around the corner.”