Oboabona, Mba big boost for league players

[Folami David]

Godfrey Oboabona and Sunday Mba's performances at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa have given their domestic league colleagues a much- needed confidence boost, says former Sunshine Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote.
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Enugu Rangers striker Mba capped off his impressive performance in the championship by scoring the goal which helped the Super Eagles beat surprised finalists Burkina Faso to win the trophy on February 10. The 24-year-old scored the winner in Nigeria's 2 1 defeat of tournament favourites Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals.
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In the same encounter, Obaobona nullified the threat of the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner Didier Drogba.
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Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone during the week, Ogunbote hailed coach Stephen Keshi's decision to include six home-based players in the Nations Cup squad, and for giving Oboabona and Mba starting roles in the final.
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"It's a challenge to the domestic league players," the ex-Gateway manager said.
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"They know that if they if they play well they stand a chance of invitation to the national team.
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"Thank God we have a coach who is ready to give the home-based players a chance to play in the national team, unlike in the past.
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"Many never thought any domestic league player would be taken to a big competition like the Nations Cup not to talk of playing in the first team.
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"What has happened has boosted the confidence of the domestic league players and I see more of them breaking into the national team."