Pinnick to NPFL players: I will not allow you to join 'mushroom clubs' in Europe

Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has asked football agents to stop taking players from the country to unknown leagues in Europe.

Instead, Pinnick, who also serves as a Fifa official, has promised to help players from the West African nation to join top clubs in major leagues in Europe giving examples of Villarreal, Valencia, and Lille.

The FA President was speaking while addressing home-based Super Eagles players in Los Angeles on Saturday night ahead of their friendly against Mexico.

The team suffered a 4-0 defeat during the friendly staged at the Los Angeles Coliseum, a double from Atletico Madrid star Hector Herrera and lone goals from Rogelio Funes Mori and Jonathan dos Santos steered El Tri to a comfortable victory as they wrapped up preparations for their 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign which will begin on July 11.

“If you’re living in Nigeria, you’re going to a top club. Villarreal, Valencia, Lille, and all those proud footballing clubs and not to one mushroom club that you’re better off,” he said as quoted by Brila.net.

With players eager to move to Europe, most NPFL players are known for making moves abroad in the name of seeking greener pastures but according to Pinnick, his administration will do everything possible to help them get top clubs.

“I want to expose you, people, to the highest levels so when you’re going to a foreign club, and we won’t allow any agent take you to countries like Cyprus, Belarus, etc., no, never we won’t allow it and I will make sure no transfer is issued on situations like that."

The win helped Mexico to extend their dominance over the Super Eagles, as they have now won three games from six matches played.

Nigeria used the friendly as part of their preparations for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers slated for September where they have been pooled in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Central African Republic, and Liberia.