By Ime Bassey

The Acting Secretary-General of the Nigerian Premier League, Mr. Tunji Babalola has appealed to Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia to extend his search light to other clubs in the Premier League.

Babalola stated this in a chat with Sunday Vanguard Sports that the Eagles coach should risk the inclusion of unknown players from the Pro-League who are talented and good enough to wear the Green and white jersey of the country.

“I am appealing to Siasia to look beyond just one club in the Premier League and if possible, the National Pro- League. We have some talented players in both of these leagues that are yet to be spotted.

Siasia new-look Eagles

We are not saying that we are not grateful for those that are in the team but we are asking him to extend his invitation to these other players in subsequent matches. He should test them because if they prove themselves, he will be the one that will take all the glory. Coaching involves taking risk, so he should take the risk of fielding them. The entire Premier League is happy with what he is doing and the feat of the players.

“I am quite delighted for the home based players that are in the Super Eagle, most especially those that are in the United States now. I am impressed with the courage of Samson Siasia for picking them for this tournament and that of the friendly match against Sierra Leone.

For the tournament itself in the US, the NPL scribe showered prayers on the team even as his expectation is for them to come back with the flag of the country and that of the NPL flying high. He emphasized that the players being tested ones of the League would not disappoint the nation.

“I am praying for them to succeed in the US. The players that are in the team are players that have proven themselves over the years in the Premier League.

We at the NPL are full of hopes and expectations from the boys knowing full well that they would not let the nation down in the US but will give us a good performance. For that of goal keeper Bassey Akpan and striker Gbolahan Salami, it is rather unfortunate that they were not taken along because of their unsporting conducts. This, I believe will go a long way to curb the attitudes of other players in the League,” he concluded.