Opinion
‘Give Them A Chance’ Mba Backs League Stars — Warns Against One-Club Bias In Unity Cup Selections
Former Super Eagles hero Sunday Mba has urged the national team selectors to use the upcoming Unity Cup as a platform to showcase talent from the domestic league, while warning against favouritism in player selection.
With the competition seen as an opportunity to test new players, Mba believes it is the perfect moment to give home-based stars a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
“This is their opportunity,” he said, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
However, the former international raised concerns about selection patterns, cautioning against building a squad dominated by players from a single club — an issue he says affected past teams, including the CHAN squad.
“We must avoid that mistake,” he stressed.
According to Mba, talent is spread across multiple clubs in the Nigerian league, and a balanced selection process is essential to ensure fairness and competitiveness.
“There are good players everywhere,” he implied.
For him, the Unity Cup should not just be about participation, but about discovering and nurturing players who can contribute to the long-term future of the Super Eagles.
“This is about development,” he noted.
Mba also highlighted the need for transparency and merit in selection, arguing that giving opportunities to deserving players will boost morale and strengthen the domestic league.
“It encourages everyone,” he added.
His comments reflect a broader call for greater integration of local talents into the national team — an issue that has been widely debated in Nigerian football.
As the Unity Cup approaches, attention will be on how the squad is selected and whether new faces will be given meaningful opportunities.
For Mba, the message is clear.
Talent exists.
It just needs a chance.
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Opinion
Transfer Race Heats Up: ‘Top Clubs Want Him’ — Etafia Reveals Chiefs, Pirates And Simba Target Nwabali Move
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Greg Etafia has revealed that several top African clubs are lining up moves for Stanley Nwabali, as the race to sign the in-demand shot-stopper gathers momentum ahead of the summer window.
READ ALSO: NLO Charges Clubs on Stadium Readiness Ahead of 2026 Division One 2026 Season Kick-Off April 10
Nwabali, who has been training under Etafia following his departure from Chippa United, is attracting significant interest after his impressive performances for club and country.
According to Etafia, multiple clubs have already made enquiries, including his own side, TS Galaxy.
“We showed interest,” he confirmed, highlighting the level of competition for the goalkeeper’s signature.
But TS Galaxy are not alone.
Etafia disclosed that South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are also keen on securing Nwabali, while Tanzanian powerhouse Simba SC has joined the race.
“These clubs are serious,” he implied, pointing to the growing demand for the Nigerian international.
For Nwabali, the interest represents a significant opportunity to take the next step in his career, particularly after a period of uncertainty following his exit from Chippa United.
A move to one of the continent’s top clubs could provide him with stability, regular playing time, and increased visibility on the international stage.
Etafia suggested that a decision could be made in the summer, once negotiations progress and the best option becomes clear.
For Nigerian fans, the situation is one to watch closely, as Nwabali’s next move could have implications for his role in the national team.
With multiple clubs competing for his signature, the goalkeeper is in a strong position.
And as the transfer window approaches, the question is not whether he will move.
It’s where he will go.
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Opinion
Ogun 2027: Olopade Aligns with Tinubu’s Youth Inclusion Agenda, Declares Support for Senator YAYI
As Nigeria gears towards the general elections in 2027, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has charged the teeming population of youths in Ogun State to actively get involved in politics while formally declaring his support for the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Olamilekan Adeola.
Olopade made the charge on Tuesday in Abeokuta while addressing journalists at the sidelines of a special interfaith religious prayer and declaration of support for the Senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
Represented by his Special Adviser/Technical Adviser on Strategy and Policy Development, Abiola Odetola, Olopade described the gathering as a definitive signal of the state’s political direction.
“Olopade also aligned the engagement with the broader national vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership he described as forward-thinking and deliberate in its commitment to youth inclusion, capacity development, and generational renewal.
He noted that the President’s confidence in young people, reflected in both policy direction and governance approach, has continued to inspire a new wave of political consciousness and participation across the country.
According to him, this ideology — anchored on competence, opportunity, and structured empowerment — represents the kind of leadership framework required to drive sustainable progress at both the national and subnational levels.”
“This is a declaration of support for, by the grace of God, the incoming Governor of Ogun State, Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi. What you’re seeing here is more than a prayer session.
I think what you will call this is progress, a declaration of what is to come in Ogun. This is a show, a display of the confidence young people across the state have in the person that we consider our candidate already even though the process is on. Come 2027, the pendulum is switching towards Ogun West,” Olopade stated.
Charging the youth to get involved not only physically but mentally, he emphasized that young people must be at the center stage with their intellect.
He identified a gap in progression from local participation via rallies to advanced opportunities for governance and leadership at the National level, stressing that this lack of progression may deter future participation.
“If you check over the years, the average age of young people that have been within the governance system in Ogun State and juxtapose that with the number of those who have made it to the National level in governance and leadership, you will understand that there is a need for more of events like this.
Where we belong, both as a political group within the APC and of course, where the youth constituency today stand is: What will happen to the future of young people today in Ogun?
How do we maintain the continuity of the good things that we have enjoyed under the APC government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun? What do we need to do from now to show that the youths are ready for Senator Olamilekan Adeola?” Olopade stressed.
The event organized by Yayi Youth Vanguard, with the theme, “Consolidating a Brighter future for Ogun Youth: Inclusiveness in Politics and Governance” had in attendance thousands of youths from the three Senatorial Districts of Ogun State.
Also speaking, the Convener of the group, Olamide Lawal, said the essence of the event is to awaken the political consciousness of young people in the state.
“If you get involved in politics, there are benefits of good governance that you will get. If you don’t get involved, you cannot blame the government. You have to be actively involved to influence any change and to influence developments into your community,” Lawal said.
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