The Super Eagles FIFA Ranking, which will be crucial for the 2022 World Cup playoffs draw, could be in danger when a selection of players all drawn from the NPFL fly the country’s flag against Mexico in a friendly early next month.
Nigeria are currently 32nd in the world and third in Africa, while Mexico are 11th and will most likely parade a formidable side against a selection of players from the NPFL.
It is widely expected that the top five ranked African teams will be seeded for the final World Cup playoffs after the group stage of the qualifiers to Qatar 2022.
The next FIFA Ranking will be announced on August 12, 2021, and already Nigeria will most likely see a drop in their rating after a loss and a draw in recent friendlies this month against lower-ranked Cameroon.
A big loss by the NPFL stars against Mexico on July 3 in Los Angeles, USA, could further put in jeopardy Nigeria’s current ranking.
Critics have argued that even though Gernot Rohr cannot get some of his key stars based in Europe, he could at least give some other overseas-based players on the fringes of the national team and within his scouting network to stake a claim in his team.
This comes amid allegations that the 25-man squad announced Sunday for the Mexico do not reflect the current form of players in the domestic league.
The forward line is dominated by wingers, while Christian Nnaji ought have been picked ahead of his Rangers teammate Chinonso Ezekwe.
Leading scorers in the NPFL Silas Nwankwo (Nasarawa United) and Sadiq Yusuf (Sunshine Stars) were also overlooked.