Exclusive: Rabiu Ali’s Invitation To Super Eagles B: A Reward For Consistency and Hard Work, Says Theophilus Afelokhai

On Monday, 2nd December, 2024, Coach Austin Eguavoen made a shocking wave by inviting 44-year-old Kano Pillars’ captain, Rabiu Ali alongside 29 players to camp ahead of the African Nations Championship CHAN qualifiers against Ghana later this month.

For Rabiu, who has dedicated all his professional career to former Nigerian league champions, Kano Pillars will likely be making a national team return for the first time since January 2018, when he scored a penalty against Equatorial Guinea in Morocco. The current captain has scored six goals from set pieces for his club, Kano Pillars so far this season.

However, Rabiu’s invitation has sparked mixed feelings amongst Nigerian football fans; while some feel the midfield maestro doesn’t need to make a return to the national team, some applaud the coach, citing his experience and consistency.

Nigeria has failed to qualify on two occasions for the CHAN tournament, which highlighted the need to do better during the qualifiers. 

Reward for consistency

In a phone conversation with SportsBoom.com, former Rabiu Ali and by chance CHAN contemporaries in 2018, Theophilus Afelokhai has applauded the call-up.

Afelokhai, a seven-time league winner, who spent over three seasons playing alongside Rabiu Ali in Kano Pillars, where both players won the Nigerian league three consecutive times in 2012, 2013, and 2014, said the call-up was a reward for consistency and hard work for the 44-year-old midfielder.

“Yes, it is a good one for Nigeria to invite Rabiu Ali. It is not by age, it is by what you can do in the team. This is one of the reasons why our football is dying in the club side, we say age is a factor to our selections and it isn't always about the age, it is what you can contribute to the team that matters,” the former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper emphasized. 

Contribution over age 

Speaking about the experience, Afelokhai tipped Rabiu Ali, a finalist at the 2018 CHAN, to help Nigeria get better past the Black Galaxies during the double-legged test between December 22nd and 27th. The 36-year-old, former Enyimba and Rivers United added that what matters is his contribution not his age.

“What are the young players contributing to the team, that is what we have to ask? We are talking about the experience, people than can control the game, these matters a lot. Inviting Rabiu Ali is a very good one. He even deserve it and it will be a message to the young ones that even at his age, he is still doing well on the pitch.”

He then added that the invitation is a strong message to younger players to buckle up their boots and improve in their respective games.

“He even deserve it and it will be a message to the young ones that even at his age, he is still doing well on the pitch. This is affecting the Nigerian League, saying he has played for long and he is even out of the national team and should have retired. Look at Vincent Enyeama and how it affected us. Rabiu Ali deserves his invitation because he has performed well. It is a big lesson to everyone.”

How Ali should be better used 

Afelokhai also suggested that Rabiu Ali should be given a specific role in the team, allowing him to utilise his strengths while minimising his weaknesses.

“For me now, what should be done is he should even be in the starting eleven but should not be expected to make the tackles. Another player who can make the tackles should be in the starting team, while Ali coordinates the team and game. If he is expected to make the tackles and also conduct the game, you might not get the best from him.”

He then drew on his experience playing with Ali at Kano Pillars, where the midfielder excelled in a playmaking role.

“Why is he doing so well in Kano Pillars? The coaches there knows what he can do with the ball and he has been played in the position he can excel while some other players are there to support him, especially with the tackles. He should be allowed to get the playmaking role, where he gets to use the ball and believe me, they would get the best of him.” 

Take Ghana’s test seriously

Turning his attention to the forthcoming qualifying game against Ghana, Afelokhai told SportsBoom.com that the players must take the match seriously. 

“We should just wish them in this first game against Ghana but not see it as a game to overlook. I remember in the last edition that this same Ghana defeated us, costing us qualification, so I just want Nigerians to understand that this game is one to take seriously. In the same way, we have talented home-based players, so Ghana also, has talented players. It will be a battle.”

He then added that many young players and unfamiliar faces are in the squad but expressed confidence in the coaching crew led by Austin Eguavoen to make the right call.

“Some of the players called,  I know and some I do not. But for the ones I know and follow, and with the coach we have, Augustine Eguavoen, it's going to be good. He is a good coach and they have been in camp for about a month. They must have played and trained well, to make the right decisions,” Afelokhai concluded.