By Onochie Anibeze
Ex international, Kingsley Onye, has a word for his friend Samson Siasia. “Look inwards while the search in Europe continues.”

Onye was reacting to the attitude of some players of the Eagles who don’t get excited over national team invitations.

Siasia had fumed over this and vowed to make changes in the team. He plans to inject new players into the team and also wants attitudinal change.

Those who are not committed to the national team may be sidelined. About seven players who would have featured against Ghana if the match held could not make it to their London camp because of some excuses Siasia felt were flimsy.

Attitudinal problems had been in Eagles long before now and Siasia thought that his coming would immediately bring in a drastic change. But he has now realised that he would have to work for the required change. He is looking for midfielders and defenders too to build a strong team.

After discussions with Siasia in London where Onye is now resident, it emerged that the Eagles crew would embark on a search for players of Nigerian origin in Europe. There are also players who joined European clubs from academies or play groups and did not play in the Nigerian leagues before agents took them away.

Onye approved that but said on phone last night that ignoring the local league would be a mistake

“I understand what Siasia is going through and I support his plan to continuously search for players here (Europe) but I think that there could be players at home who may need training and exposure.

Our league may not be as good as it was when we were playing but I believe that there are potentials who can be transformed with time.

We can’t ignore our league entirely and I think that Siasia knows this now and wants to do something about it. I agree that we need some changes, so let him work for them.”