SENATORS on the Sports and Social Development Committee of Nigeria's upper legislative body yesterday said foreign based Nigerian players and coaches are responsible for the recent disappointing results in recent continental and international football competitions.The Senators led by Adamu Gumba with Ayo Adeseun, Abdul Ningi and Alkali Jajere, also called for intensive action in the employment of coaches and invitation of players to the national teams.At a meeting of the senators and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chiefs in Abuja yesterday, it was resolved that invitation to the national team must be based on patriotic dispensation of players.Committee chairman, Gumba says'' it is obvious the players and their coaches do not measure up to the standard expected by Nigerians. It is time we looked for players who know what it means to represent the country and coaches who can guide them to victory.''Gumba suggested that a stakeholders' forum would go a long way in accommodating different views on the way forward for Nigerian football.Jajere specifically charged the NFF to scout for ambitious players from the Nigerian Premier League rather than relying on those abroad.''When the foreign-based players come here, they don't give their all but avoid injuries which may hamper their chances at their clubs in Europe. Such players can't give us the results we want. The NFF should look inward for home-based players who are ready to get involved and win games for Nigeria,'' he contended.Adeseun, meanwhile, shared Jajere's position but adds that the NFF needs to move fast and deliver good results in order to restore Nigerians passion and love for the game.President, NFF, Aminu Maigari told the senators that the body would embark on various reforms aimed at reversing the chain of poor performances and results in recent international outings.
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