Enyimba FC goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai has said Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr’s preference for foreign based players is seriously devaluing the market price of home based players.
In a chat with the former Kano Pillars captain, the Edo born shot stopper said Rohr’s predecessors gave opportunities for local players to fight for shirts in the senior national team but the tenure of the Franco-German tactician has shut out NPFL players.
He said “During Keshi’s time, he made the home based players to be really valued because he used them in the Super Eagles but right now, the market value of home based players has dropped drastically, and it is just too poor.
“In the past, the home based players get signed up easily but now, they have to go through trials to get signed and this is very bad. This is simply because we are not recognized in the national team,” he said.
Afelokhai also said that in as much he would love to man the post for the national team, he won’t beg to be recalled to the senior national team.
“The truth is that when God says it’s my time, nobody can stop me. I am happy people appreciate me and call me to ask what I have done wrong, why I have not been invited to the Super Eagles. They have seen that with my experience, I am fit to man that post.
“I am short of words but I believe my time will come and if it doesn’t come, I will keep working hard.
“My fans know I deserve it and it’s a source of joy for me that they believe in me. My dream is to leave the country and go and play in a better league. People are playing in big clubs without playing in their national teams,” he said.
Speaking further, the Aba Warriors shot stopper revealed that he is open to leaving Enyimba and move to a bigger club where he can make good money and help people around him.
“I want to play in a big club to make good money and make people around me happy. With the little I make, people are still benefiting, what more if I earn more from better leagues. I can’t force or beg the coaches to invite me to Super Eagles,” he noted.
