The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gernot Rohr

  • Eagles bank on ‘Positive anger’ against Croatia

     

    Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that there is “positive anger” among his players and backroom staff, adding that he hopes that will translate into result yielding determination as the team prepares to open shop in Russia against Croatia.

    Rohr, who believes he has taken the players through quality training and friendly shape ups, insists that the players have the capacity to up their game with a view to excelling in Russia.

    The former Gabon and Burkina Faso handler maintained that everyone has learnt useful lessons from the friendly matches played and the results that were recorded, submitting that the unanimous agreement is that there is need for improvement even with six days to the start of the World Cup.

    “After the loss to the Czech Republic, there is positive anger among the players & staff. This keeps us focused & humble. “Said Gernot Rohr whose contract with the NFF will see him equally take the Super Eagles to the next Nations Cup in Cameroon in 2019 irrespective of the performance achieved in Russia.

    The back to back defeat of the Eagles by England and Czech Republic, has triggered off mixed reactions among soccer fans in the country with some insisting there are positives to be taken from the defeats, while others say the defeats is an indication that the team will struggle to survive the group stage.

    “It is better for them to lose the friendly matches and play better in the competition. If they record easy wins in the friendly matches they will assume they have arrived and that will be counterproductive” Said a group of sports enthusiasts at one of the newspaper stands Friday in Lagos  

    Eagles will begin their quest for glory against Croatia on June 16, a match which many say they must win if they are to lay the foundation of survival in the Group stage.

    Those who hold this view insist that winning the first match even with a small margin will boast the team’s confidence to tackle Iceland and Argentina respectively.

    Nigerians will however be praying that prediction by Google forecast does not come to pass as it will mean starting the campaign on a losing note.  The forecast indicate that Nigeria has only 17% chance of winning the June 16 tie while Croatia stands 57% chance of winning.

    The match is predicted to stand 26% chance of ending in a goalless or score draw.

  • Rohr’s final selections will make the country proud-Izilein

    Former Super Falcons’ coach Godwin Izilein has said that Nigeria’s national team coach, Gernot Rohr picked the best players that would make the country proud at the World Cup in Russia.

    Izilein gave the assurance while speaking with the News men on Monday in Benin.

    According to him, the team has had the best of preparation and played quality friendly matches, adding that what the team needs now is prayers.

    “As for the players picked by the coach and comments over his selections, I quite commend the coach for appearing not ruffled by the comments.

    “Rohr’s critics may not see why the coach picked those he picked.

    “He knows what he wants and if he feels those he picked will give him what he wants, let’s wish him the best,” he said.

    Read Also: Upgrade Eaglets to U-20 team – Izilein

    Speaking on the Super Eagles friendly match with England, Izilein said he was not disturbed with the outcome of the game.

    The former Super Falcons tactician noted that those that spied on the Eagles tactical play would have been disappointed.

    “Our opponents came in there to pick one or two things about the eagles to prepare their team against us, but I am happy that they saw nothing.

    “They are still wondering if this is the team they will be playing against.

    “To me, I am happy about the outcome. The Eagles will surprise the world in Russia; I am very convinced that the Eagles will do well at the World Cup,” Izilein said.

    It will be recalled that Rohr on Sunday released the final names of 23 players that will represent Nigeria at the World Cup.

    NAN

  • GERNOT ROHR: ‘I’m not superstitious, no lucky suit for Russia 2018’

    Though no formal dress is required to manage a soccer team let alone at the FIFA World Cup, many national team managers at Russia 2018 would expectedly turn up with neatly cut suits from leading brands such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Boglioli, Gucci, Hugo Boss and Burberry.

    Of course, style is the man hence it was not a coincidence that the five previous coaches that had managed the Super Eagles at world’s most-watched championship actually turned up in different style and attire

    For instance, Clemens Westerhof who led Nigeria to her maiden World Cup appearance was ubiquitous with his brown and patterned jacket he reportedly referred to as his ‘lucky charm’.

    At France’98, Bora Milutinovic who is a member of the FIFA TSG (technical study group) in Russia,  turned out in different shades of  suit (black and blue colours) while the highly revered Chief Adegboye Onigbinde caught the suit bug at Korea/Japan 2002.  At South Africa 2010, Swede Lars Lagerbäck was resplendent in Nigeria’s national team gear, as was the late Stephen Keshi at the last Mundial in Brazil.

    Perhaps, no coach at Russia 2018 will be more anxious about his attire than French coach Herve Renard – the only foreign coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two different countries, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Renard claimed his tight-fitting white shirt was a lucky charm.

    But Super Eagles’ Franco-German manager, Gernot Rohr, says he’s not going to be encumbered by such worries as he sets his sight on leading Nigeria to glory at her sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

    “I do not have any lucky suit for the World Cup,” Rohr who will celebrate his 65th birthday on June 28 told The Nation. “I am not a superstitious person; I just try to be professional at all times. I hope my lucky colours in Russia will be the green-white-green of Nigeria.

    Rohr, appointed in August 2016 can truly be described as a football man through-and-through, featuring for top European sides like Bayern Munich and Girondins Bordeaux in France, before he retired into coaching.

    As a manager, he earned his stripes in European football when he led Bordeaux to runners up to Bayern Munich in the final of the now rested UEFA Cup (now known as Europa Cup) in 1996 and earning that famous thrashing 3-0 thrashing of Italian giants, AC Milan in the quarter-finals. After Bordeaux, he was briefly sports director at Eintracht Frankfurt. He has also coached at FC Nantes; Étoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia and served as national team coach of Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso before berthing in Nigeria last year.

    He won his first game in charge of the Super Eagles, defeating Tanzania by a lone goal in Uyo, Nigeria and last October, Nigeria-led team became the first African side to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 1–0 win against Zambia.

    On the eve of the team’s departure to England en route to Russia, Rohr provides a glimpse of what to expect of the Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 in an interview with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN. Excerpts…

     

    Friendly with England

    The friendly against England is just another build up game for us. Of course, we like to win every game and play good football all the time but we want to see more and try out more things during friendly games. I also believe that a big, beautiful stadium like Wembley with the fans coming out in large numbers will provide a real World Cup atmosphere for us.

    Picking the right squad for Russia 2018

    It is always a big challenge to pick some players from a pool of talents especially for a big football country like Nigeria. It is a good problem for coaches to do this sometimes. For me, I know these players, young, talented, disciplined, hungry and very committed players. We worked together to pick the World Cup ticket from a very tough qualifying group, so I can trust them to do it again at a bigger stage like the World Cup. The goalkeeping position in a team is a very important one. We have confidence in the goalkeepers we have in the team right now. Our goalkeeper coaches Alloy Agu and Enrico Pionetti have also been working extra hard with these goalkeepers to help get them to the level we desire and the response has been encouraging. We should all get behind these goalkeepers, support and encourage them so they can be motivated and be able to give their best for the country when called upon.

    Backbones of Super Eagles

    We have a few very experienced players, such as our captain John Obi Mikel (Tianjin Teda, China). Our two central defenders William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor, Turkey) and Leon Balogun (Mainz, Germany) are also very important to us. We have players such as Victor Moses (Chelsea, England) and Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England) – they are also very important for us. We have many young players, and everyone has a role to play in our team. But the most important leaders are our captain Mikel, the vice-captain Ogenyi Onazi, and Ahmed Musa also.

    Target at Russia 2018

    We all want to make it out of the group, and that’s already difficult enough. Of course, our fans dream about Nigeria making it out of this difficult group and perhaps even going far in the tournament after we beat Argentina. But we are no dreamers. As coach and technical team, we will enter the tournament with realistic and modest expectations, but also with ambition.

    Group D as Group of Death

    My honest assessment is that this is a very tough group, maybe the toughest at the World Cup. We are not the favourites to make it out of this group because we are the least ranked team here. However, we are confident, hungry and very determined to fight to qualify from this group. Remember we were not the favourites in our World Cup qualifying group in Africa but we made it, so we can do it again. Iceland is a good team with very strong and highly motivated players. They will be difficult to beat. Our group will be very tough together with them, Croatia and Argentina. We will need to be at our best for all the games. Of course, I would have wanted an easier group. But it is what it is. Now we have this strong group. If you look at our FIFA ranking, we are only in 52nd position – the others are far ahead of us. I think they sit in position 14, eight and four. That means we are the underdogs. We were only in pot four in the draw, we mustn’t forget that. But we are an underdog with ambition and we want to get into the knockout stages, even though it will be very difficult. That’s our target.

    Reflection on victory over Argentina in friendly

    Beating Argentina was good for our confidence but do not forget it was just a friendly. We should expect a tougher, more difficult match at the World Cup. We respect them but we will not be afraid of them. Our fans believe in us and have very high expectations but we must let them know that the World Cup is a very tough tournament. We must remain humble, stay hungry and committed. We must take things step by step, one game at a time. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and he was not there when we played them in Krasnodar last November. At the World Cup, we will not be playing against Messi alone; we will be playing the entire Argentina team. We are not playing against one player; we will be facing 11 players. So we have to prepare very hard to stop this great team with so many great players.

    Super Eagles vs. Messi

    Of course, we all know him and we know of his quality. But we also played against some really good players in our qualification and were able to deal with them. We had Riyad Mahrez at Algeria; we played against Sadio Mane and Senegal in a friendly. We know how to organise our defence against top quality players. What I can tell you now already is that there will be no man-marking of Messi. We did this in the old days, even I, but it’s not used too often these days. We will deal with Messi or any big player as a collective. But often you won’t be able to keep top players quiet over the whole 90 minutes.

    Surpassing Super Eagles’ second round record

    I am happy and so privileged to have finally achieved this target of leading a team to the World Cup. Every coach dreams of being a part of the biggest football fiesta in the world. I have had big experiences with some clubs in the major European club competitions but the World Cup is very special. Our plan and preparation is to get beyond our group. We have at least three games to play at the World Cup. We want to give our best in these games so that we can stay in the competition and then have more games to play.

    Chances of African teams in Russia

    Good chances. Egypt is the best team in Africa as voted by CAF. They have the best coach. They have a chance in the group with Russia. The whole world will follow the group with the hosts. They also have the best player in Africa in Mohamed Salah. I also think Senegal is strong, Tunisia, too, based on their strong league. A lot is possible for the African teams. I believe that the African teams have the capability to do well at the World Cup. African football has improved greatly and African players are now at a high level like their European and South American counterparts. I hope this is reflected in how the African teams play in Russia.

    Relationship with NFF

    I am happy to be working for Nigeria. I have had a very cordial and professional relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation. I have been able to operate without any interference and also work in a very good, conducive environment. These are the most important things for me. I have very good relationship with my players, technical assistants and backroom staff. The fans have also been wonderful.

    Most difficult decision as Super Eagles’ coach

    I have not had to make any difficult decision since I came to Nigeria. This is because we take all our decisions together as a team. We work collectively. We have a policy of strong solidarity as a team. We want to win together, lose together, enjoy together and suffer together both on and off the pitch. We stand together at all times.

    Likely winner of Russia 2018 World

    The favourites at every World Cup are Brazil, Germany, Argentina together with Spain, France. These teams have big players with huge experience, winning mentality and quality. Talking about the stars of the tournament, I hope some of the young players in my team become the stars of this World Cup and my team also shines like a million stars at the tournament.

  • Russia 2018: Simon not fit for World Cup, Rohr says

    Eagles Head Coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that injured Moses Simon would not be fit to merit a berth in the final 23-man squad for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rohr stated this during his pre-match press conference before the team’s training session at the Wembley Stadium on Friday.

    Simon was initially ruled out of the World Cup by Head Coach Gernot Rohr after the player’s first scan results confirmed he would be out of the tournament.

    However, Moses requested for a further scan in the UK, with Rohr granting him his wish to prove his fitness ahead of the world cup.

    Reports on the NFF official Twitter handle on Wednesday had quoted Coach Rohr as saying that he was willing to wait and see if the player could make a late push for the World Cup in Russia.

    But Rohr hinted that the Gent of Belgium winger had finally been ruled out of the World Cup after a latest medical scan confirmed that he won’t be fit for the competition.

    “We have all our players in camp. Victor Moses was the last to arrive camp and he has had just one training session with us and will have another today (Friday).

    “All the players are ready for the World Cup except for Simon Moses who is out for four weeks,” he said.

    NAN also reports that with the team’s first choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme also ruled out of the World Cup on health grounds, the fight for Eagles’ number one shirt has generated heated arguments among the fans.

    Young goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, seems to be the favourite after the team’s last three games against Poland, Serbia and DR Congo but Rohr insisted that the position was still up for grabs.

    “Uzoho came in against Argentina and since then he has been showing confidence and making great efforts. However, we have three goalkeepers,” he said.

    The former Niger Republic and Gabon coach also played down the Super Eagles’ chances of becoming the first African country to win the World Cup.

    “We are not among the favourites. If you look at the FIFA ranking, you will see there are teams who are better than us.

    “It is important for us not to think we can win the World Cup,” Rohr said.

    He also highlighted the importance of Saturday’s friendly match against England to the team’s quest of having a successful outing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The three-time African champions will face the Three Lions in their second pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley Stadium.

    Captain Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi and a number of first team regulars were not involved from the start in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Democratic Republic of Congo in Port Harcourt.

    However, Rohr noted that he would name a strong side against Gareth Southgate’s men.

    “Tomorrow, we would play a big team like England, it is an important game for us.

    “It will be an interesting game for us. In the game against Congo, we didn’t play our best team, but we will change things against England and play our best players.

    “The atmosphere is going to be great and we hope to enjoy it and possibly win the game,” he said. (NAN)

  • England, Czech ties: Rohr wary of injuries

    Super Eagles’ technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has admitted that one of the biggest challenges he is facing in arriving at his final list of players for the World Cup is the spate of injuries the team has been riddled with.

    In the wake of another scary moment, when Tyronne Ebuehi limped out of Monday’s send forth friendly against DR Congo in Port Harcourt, Rohr said the lads must play the remaining two matches with caution.

    The squad is set to battle England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium and then tango the Czech Republic four days later in Austria, ahead of which Rohr says the players cannot afford to cope with any further knocks.

    The Franco-German coach is, however, not allowing the situation to dissuade him, as he expressed delight over the impressive showing of his side in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

    While casting a look ahead of his options against England on Saturday, Rohr said: “The game was a good test for the players particularly those who we didn’t know very well.

    “It was a very good match because we played against a very good team from Congo. They came with a great squad. I am satisfied with the performance of Simy. He is a natural centre-forward. He didn’t have a profile until we found him. We had to see some players who didn’t play so much.

    Two of them made the team and the pitch was not easy to play on.

    “We didn’t want to take the risk of playing some players who arrived tired coming from China.”

  • Rohr drops 4 retains 25 for England friendly

     

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has dropped four players while suspending action on three more players that will be dropped after the friendly match against England on June 2nd.

    The four players dropped include Junior Lokosa who has arrested the headlines in recent times following his exploits in the local league where he is the highest goal scorer.

    The Kano Pillars ace was equally impressive in the friendly against DR Congo in Port Harcourt. Others are Moses Simon who picked up injury and has earlier been ruled out of action for at least three weeks, goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye and Stephen Eze.

    Rohr had before making the announcement thanked all the players for giving good account of themselves while reminding them that there will be other platforms to shine after the world cup.

    Rohr who recently signed a new contract with the NFF will be taking the Super Eagles to the next African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon in 2019.

    The 25 players that will be heading to London later today for the tie against London at the Wembley are;

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

    Defenders: William Troost-Ekong and Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, Netherlands);

    Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium); Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia);

    Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa, Turkey)

    Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City,

    England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas, Spain); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Joel Obi (Torino, Italy), Mikel Agu (Bursaspor, Turkey)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Victor Moses (Chelsea, England);

    Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone, Italy)

    Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the team to bring the world cup home while avoiding rough play.

    The President who met the team just before the start of the usual FEC meeting at the Aso Rock villa noted that the team is young but quiet capable of rising to the occasion in Russia.

  • Rohr advises Eagles to invest wisely

    Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has advised Super Eagles players to take serious the lessons from the Tuesday wealth investment seminar the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organized for them.

    The 64 year old Eagles Technical coach gave the advice explaining that he had no opportunities for wealth investment lessons during his active days as a footballer.

    The seminar on wealth creation and portfolio management was organised for the players and officials of the Super Eagles in Abuja.

    He said, “In life, things do change and sometimes, the changes are not what we planned or prepared for.

    “I pray for all these players to have long, injury –free careers but even then, you can only play for an average of 17 years.

    “I played for 17 years. I wish I got this kind of guidance and advice when I was still playing.”

    Captain Mikel Obi who attended the lecture said, “Since I started playing for Nigeria, this is the first time I am witnessing this kind of seminar. I appeal to all my colleagues to take serious the lessons from this programme.

    “We must plan for the days that our bodies will no longer be able to withstand the kind of rigours they go through now. I have learnt a lot from here that I will personally apply it to my life.”

    According to NFF President Amaju Pinnick, only wise financial decisions and sensible investment moves could create sustainable wealth that would spare them of any regret in the future.

    “We put together this seminar knowing that it would be of immense benefit to all members of this team.

    “Our care for you should not end on the field of play. We are family and must have one another’s back always.

    “Please take away good lessons from here so that tomorrow, you would not become liability to anyone or the society.

    “You players have all definitely been making some good money in your various Clubs, and will also be making money during this World Cup.

    “It is not the money that you have that is the wealth; it is how you invest the monies and manage your portfolio to continue to create wealth for you.

    “I know a number of sportsmen (in Nigeria and globally) who made more than yourselves during their career and then fell on bad times after retirement.

  • Anxiety as Rohr drops four Eagles Wednesday

    As the Super Eagles of Nigeria continue its World Cup build-up, Head Coach Gernot Rohr will announce the four players that will not fly out with the rest of the team to England on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Rohr shelved the decision until after Monday’s international friendly against Congo DR to enable him have a clearer picture of the players that would make the team.

    At the moment just 29 players are currently in camp with the exception of Victor Moses who has been asked by Rohr to wait for the team in London.

    As gathered the players will be informed after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday morning.

    Later in the evening, the Eagles will depart for London aboard a chartered flight.

    Meanwhile there are indications that Crotone of Italy striker Simeon Nwankwo will make the 23-man list after impressing Rohr with his performance in Monday’s friendly against Congo DR.

    “I was quite impressed with Simy. His performance shows that he is a natural forward. So let us see how it goes from here,” Rohr said.

    Nwankwo who scored seven goals for Crotone last season forced saw one his efforts hit the woodwork in the early minutes of the encounter.

    Some of the players that stand no chance of making it are Stephen Eze, Junior Lokosa, Uche Agbo while the battle for the third keeper is between Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Ajiboye.

  • Uzoho Not Rohr’s Anointed Goalkeeper – Alloy Agu

    Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu has dismissed reports suggesting that Francis Uzoho is the anointed first choice keeper for the World Cup.

     “The competition among the four goalkeepers is stiff and it is bringing the best out of them, “Agu spoke on radio.

    The Super Eagles Assistant Coach revealed that the four keepers’ will feature in the friendly matches against Congo DR in Port Harcourt on Monday (Today) and the Three Lions of England at Wembley on June 2nd.

    Meanwhile, Eagle German tactician has listed 20 players with three spots left for him to complete his final 23-man list for the World Cup which commence on June 14.

    The 64-year old is expected to make his mind on who will start in goal-post after Today’s formative match against The Leopards and The Three Lions on Saturday and the two assistant goalkeepers.

    Eagles versus Congo match is expected to kick off by 6:00pm at the Adokiye Aimesimaka Stadium.  

  • Mixed reactions trail Coach Rohr’s provisional 30-man World Cup list

    Mixed reactions on Monday trailed Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr’s 30-man provisional list for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    It be recalled that Coach Rohr’s 30-man Provisional squad was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday.

    Rohr named Captain Mikel Obi, goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile and Leon Balogun in Nigeria’s 30-man provisional list.

    Others were midfielders Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo, including forwards Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses.

    The list also includes Spain-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Joel Obi and John Ogu as well as forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi.

    Chelsea wingback Moses was Nigeria’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with three goals, while Captain Mikel, Iwobi, Simon and Iheanacho weighed in with two goals each.

    A cross section of football enthusiasts who spoke to our reporter noted that there was nothing really new about the list, while others expressed doubts about the goalkeeping and defence departments.

    Nduka Ugbade, an ex-international and former assistant coach of the Nigeria under-17 national football team said he was satisfied with Coach Rohr’s selection.

    Read Also: Rohr Releases 30-Man Provisional World Cup List

    “I think the list is made up of the usual suspects and these are the players that we should indeed be taking to the World Cup.

    “Looking at our options upfront, I think the likes of Ighalo, Moses and Iheanacho should be able to keep their jerseys barring any injury worries.

    “I am also so thrilled to see Lokosa’s name on that 30-man provisional list. He truly deserves it especially having scored 18 goals in 20 games for Kano Pillars in the NPFL so far this season.

    “I think he needs to be encouraged and let’s see how far he can go in competing for a shirt and it will be a major surprise if the young man makes it to the World Cup.

    “However, even if he does not make it to Russia, the experience in the Super Eagles camp and training will be very good for his growth and development,” he said.

    Emmanuel Babayaro, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medalist, also noted that the names were purely based on merit, adding that Junior Lokosa’s call up was the biggest surprise in the list.

    “I think the list is okay. Seriously looking forward to see if we can finally break that last 16 hurdle and get to the quarters for the very first time.

    “I think this is long overdue and hopefully Russia is where history will be made.

    “I am delighted that at least three home-based players namely; Dele Ajiboye, Junior Lokosa and Ikechukwu Ezenwa made the provisional list and my guts tell me Lokosa will make the 23-man final list.

    “He is the surprise package for me.

    “The goalkeepers however need to train thrice harder and work more on their confidence. I tip Uzoho for first choice,” he said.

    Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, FCT Football Coaches Association said the inclusion of the country’s biggest goal contributors in the list was a welcome development.

    “There were really no major surprises in the list as the country’s biggest goal contributors namely; Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho are destined for Russia.

    “Also, the partnership of the China-based players namely; Odion Ighalo and Mikel Obi will yield a lot of goals for the Super Eagles. I can’t wait for the tournament to start already.

    “My advice however to those whose names were missing is that they must dig their heels in, do better than their previous best and make it impossible for the Coach to overlook them for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019,” he said.

    Emmanuel Amakiri, the proprietor of Amakson Football Academy said he wasn’t completely satisfied with the list, adding that the goalkeeping and defence departments still looked weak.

    “For me, the list is not bad, but I feel our goalkeeping and defence department are weak and how Rohr sets up the midfield will be crucial.

    “I still don’t know what Ezenwa and Echiejile are doing in that squad? They better not make the final list.

    “Ezenwa isn’t the best goalkeeper in the NPFL so I am wondering what informed his selection.

    “So sad for the likes of Brown Ideye and Henry Onyekuru whose names were omitted from the list as they have both struggled in their efforts to get back to fitness ahead of the World Cup.

    “Some however discovered their form when it mattered most, such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa who had to go back to Russia to begin to command attention once again,” he said.

    The Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals is scheduled to kickoff from June 14 to July 15.

    NAN