Mustapha Babadidi injured

As the list of 26 home-based players for the April 12 friendly match against Egypt was released on Friday, some Nigeria Premier League watchers are wondering how the players on the list were selected and by whom. Top among the list of players invited is Gombe United striker Mustapha Babadidi who is the leading scorer in the league. Babadidi is currently nursing an injury. In as much as most agree with Ike Shorunmu, the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, that the match will help pep up the home-based players, a lot seems to have been left to be desired by the making up of the list of players invited to the national team. “Can you play matches with injured players or will they get better by playing,” asked Ken Ochonogor, a football commentator in Lagos. “You know it disturbs you when this kind of list comes out and you have players that are currently injured having their names included. Babadidi is currently injured and he has been out of action for the last three weeks and it will be another three weeks before he can even start running. So how come he gets included when the friendly match is in two weeks’ time? “The match is to serve as a build-up towards the Nations and the World Cup qualifiers in June but with this lopsided list, things may not continue to work as the original plan intended it to,” Ochonogor concluded. Goal.com called Babadidi, who confirmed the injury. “I have a small injury and I have not played for three weeks,” said Babadidi. When he was asked when he will be returning, the nine –goal scorer in the NPL said; “Maybe in two weeks.” Gombe United coach also confirmed the injury and that of Babadidi’s strike partner, Sanusi Sani. It is expected that the NFF will name a replacement for Babadidi in the next few days.