Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi
SUPERSPORT.COM
Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi is keen to see an end to the classification of overseas and home grown players.
Keshi, 50, said every player in the Super Eagles should be regarded as carrying "same status irrespective of where their clubs are based."
"We are handling a project to build a team that will make Nigerians not just happy but confident of their team. And because we want this project of building a team for the country to succeed we do not think it is proper to give the impression that some players deserve better treatment over others.
"Every player in my team has the same status irrespective of where their clubs are based. The name home-based or foreign-based do not apply to my team as every player is a Nigerian international. If I find a player based within the country good enough, I will give him the chance and same goes for anyone outside the country so far they are Nigerians and are committed to helping the team become a force again," Keshi told SuperSport.com.
The Nigerian manager also spoke on reports that he plans to recall some of the Super Eagles' old brigade such as Peter Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, John Mikel Obi and Obinna Nsofor among others.
"Aren't they Nigerians? That is why this team is the Nigerian national team and if these players deserve to be called up I will do so to help my country achieve success. And people should also understand that I can't call up every player for a particular game.
Like I said earlier, irrespective of where they play club football, I'm not going to close the door on players deserving of being part of the national team as we continue to build and prepare for our game against Liberia," he said.
Keshi assured the Super Eagles will be ready to face Liberia over two legs of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Liberia's Lone Star will play hosts to the Super Eagles in the first leg on the weekend of September 7 and 9 before the return leg holds on the weekend of October 12 and 14.