Nigerian Players Exodus Moves To China- Amokachi

Former Nigeria Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi says African players moving to the Chinese Super League does not mean they aren’t ambitious.

The former Everton forward says the lack of social welfare or financial help is a major reason why Africans and South Americans move to China.

Super Eagles stars John Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo and Brown Ideye have all moved to China since the turn of the year with many critizing their decision to leave Europe.

“We don’t have that platform whereby everything has already been set for us from the day we were born – like Europeans. We don’t live on welfare.”

“We play football be cause we want to make a living,” said Amokachi.

“We don’t have that platform whereby everything has already been set for us from the day we were born – like Europeans. We don’t live on welfare.”

Amokachi says players who have achieved all they can in Europe like John Mikel Obi should never be criticized for moving to the CSL.

“Mikel played for a top team in Europe and won practically everything that he needs to win as a footballer,” Amokachi told BBC Sport.

“What’s left for him is to make a lot of zeros to secure his future and that of his kids and family back home.”

Amokachi, a former assistant coach of Nigeria now manages JS Hercules in Finland.

Mikel and Ideye signed for Tianjin Teda who finished 11th in last season’s Super League while Ighalo plays for Changchun Yatai F.C.