Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has backed his decision to always invite Foreign-based players to the national team rather than NPFL stars, insisting Nigeria’s best legs are based overseas.

The German tactician has often faced criticism for not giving domestic league players a chance in his team.

Among NPFL stars, only Ikechukwu Ezenwa has been a consistent member of his squad since he became the coach in 2016.

However, the 66-year-old has defended his decision insisting he has invited 23 players from the local league so far.

The former Gabon coach also added that it is difficult to find any player in the domestic league who is better than players plying their trade in Europe.

“We cannot find all the time players in the local league who are better than the other ones (in Europe),” Rohr told ESPN.

“The first criterion is the quality of the players. Everybody knows, not only in Nigeria, that the best players are in Europe or somewhere else in professional leagues. That is the fact.”

“I invited already more than 23 or 24 local players since I have been in charge of the Super Eagles but we invite them and then immediately they are going to Europe. It is wonderful for them but maybe not for us.”

Rohr also maintained that the Chan team and U20 team must keep playing in order to have a shot at the national team.

“The Chan team and Under-20 team must play all the time. The coaches who are responsible for these teams, must work with me together. And normally the best of the league are in either Chan or under-20 or under-17,” he added.