Nigeria call-ups : EPL players have the edge over other players after reveal by ex-Watford ace

Former Manchester United and Watford striker Odion Ighalo believes that English Premier League players have the edge over players in other leagues when it comes to invitation to the Nigeria national teams.

Nigeria have more players in the Premier League now in comparison to the past, making the Super Eagles stronger as a team given the competitive nature of the English top-flight.

Of the twenty-eight players named in the Super Eagles squad to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, six are on the books of Premier League clubs, namely Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong (both Watford), Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho (both Leicester City), Frank Onyeka (Brentford) and Alex Iwobi (Everton).

Ighalo, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Ahmed Musa also have Premier League appearances under their belts while Kenneth Omeruo, Kelechi Nwakali and Taiwo Awoniyi were previously owned by Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

Nigeria's interim coach Augsutine Eguavoen was recently in England to check out some players in his plans for the upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff matches with Ghana.

"In the national team now, you have to be playing in the Premier League to even have strong feet in the national team because playing in the Premier League gives you an edge ahead of other players playing in different leagues," Ighalo said in the latest edition of Inside The Hive.

"No disrespect to other players but Premier League is the best league and most watched league in the world".

Watford trio Emmanuel Dennis, Oghenekaro Etebo and Samuel Kalu, and Crystal Palace duo Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have been invited to the Nigeria national team in the past.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel