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The former Almeria, Espanyol and Levante striker had played in the NPFL for Enyimba and Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) prior to his move to Europe.
Former Super Eagles striker Kalu Uche has said that Nigeria must improve the NPFL in order a bid to provide room for rising stars to flourish.
The 52nd season of Nigeria's top-flight - 33rd since becoming a professional league - started on Sunday, January 8, with promoted Bendel Insurance, stunning 2021 champions Akwa United to a 2-0 scoreline in Uyo.
Nine more games in the opening week of the new season then recorded an additional 22 goals, with two teams winning their home matches, three other teams securing victories away from home, and four matches ending in a draw.
Kalu lament over state of NPFL
Recounting the days that he started in the NPFL as an Enyimba player, the 40-year-old said it was usually the dream of footballers to want to start their careers in Nigeria, while also lamenting that things are no longer as good as they used to be.
“I think we really need to get it better," Kalu said in a post-match interview after a charity game between Heartland Legends and Enyimba Legends in Aba.
"Because I remember during our days, even before us, this league used to be very strong that every player dreamed to start in the Nigerian league, so many big names. For some time now, we stopped seeing that, we stopped seeing these names from Nigerian football.
"I believe that we really have to get it better. You know as you’re growing, you intend to get better, not go backwards. I wish we come back to get this league better because we need it, Nigeria is a home of football.
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"We have so many football players that need this platform to be able to show what they have.”
Kalu to continue in football after retirement
The former Enyimba and Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) player played for Nigeria's Super Eagles between 2003 and 2012, scoring five in 37 appearances. Most notably, Uche scored in two of Nigeria's three group games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Reacting to what his plans were after he retires from professional football, Kalu revealed that he intended to 'continue in football.'
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“Football is my life. Football is everything to me. Now I stopped playing professionally but, I still play when it’s time to enjoy with friends.
"I’m looking forward to starting a new journey, definitely I’m going to continue in football. Of course, I’m going to give back to the community, the younger ones, try to help them, try to direct them in a way they should go. Definitely, I see myself going into it.”
Kalu, currently a free agent, has also played in La Liga with Almeria, Espanyol and Levante, in Ligue 1 on loan with Bordeaux, and in Turkey with Kasimpasa.
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