Was Justin Madugu Right To Exclude Foreign Born Players from Super Falcons Squad To October Friendlies?

One thing that instantly juts in the current Super Falcons list from Justin Madugu is the absence of dual nationality players.

Yes, I understand this is a low grade, low profile friendly against an average Algeria with abject record in women's football on 26th October and 29th October respectively. However, to include foreign based players and exclude foreign born players calls for scrutiny.

It can be argued that Randy Waldrum (at times) favoured more dual nationality players where homegrown ones were more suitable or more fit. But to release a list with zero dual nationality players is not in keeping with the times.

I think some dual nationality players may currently be outstaying their usefulness.

Michelle Alozie to me had a wretched Olympics and is showing marked decline as a full-back. Ifeoma Onumonu is never a winger in my books and should never be invited to fill that post. Even as a centre forward, I will pick many others ahead of her. I never felt left back was Ashleigh Plumptre's best position as Halimat Ayinde had to bail her out severally in the world cup. If there is no space for her in centre back, then one has to question her invitation.

Having said all that, at 16 years old, I don't think Ireland born Simone Adebowale Riley will be out of place as a Super Falcons invitee; the young lady is chomping at the bit to represent Nigeria at any level and a low grade friendly will provide valuable platform to groom her. Afterall one Desire Oparanozie was just 16 years old during the qualifiers for the 2011 world cup where she confidently and competently led the lines for Nigeria.

I don't think we have seen the best of British born Rinsola Babajide for Nigeria (at a ripe age of 26 years) whilst many others like dual-nationality 21 year old Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro of Sheffield Wednesday could be looked upon if they are active in club football.

However you want to slice it, I think, in future, if the match is worthy of foreign based players to be invited, i respectably submit that it will send the wrong signals if we shut the door at foreign born or dual nationality players who may have been born in Nigeria but raised largely abroad.