AFCON 2019: Aghahowa sends strong message to Rohr over team selection

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AFCON 2019: Aghahowa sends strong message to Rohr over team selection

 

Former Nigeria striker, Julius Aghahowa, has advised head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, to maintain a consistent selection, as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend.

Aghahowa also urged the team to get their acts together in Egypt.

“As we head into this tournament, a lineup filled with a consistent selection from the coach will be an integral decision to posing a huge threat of winning the title.

“I know frequent changes would be made but fielding players who are familiar with playing each other would be key and will also give us the edge over any team in the African Cup of Nations,” Aghahowa told AOIfootball.

The former Wigan Athletic striker also gave a few thoughts on the Gernot Rohr’s final squad selection.

“I am happy with the final 23-man list made by the coach. He knows why he dropped others, and we must respect that.

“They were all good players but of course, some had to be dropped because you can’t go with everyone,” he concluded.

 

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AFCON 2019: What will Iheanacho do after being dropped by Rohr?

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AFCON 2019: What will Iheanacho  do after being dropped by Rohr?

 

Kelechi Iheanacho will have a full pre-season with Leicester City, after he failed to make the final cut for Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, The Nation reports.

The 22-year-old is one of two players, left out by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, along with Rotherham’s Semi Ajayi.

Iheanacho’s club team-mate Wilfred Ndidi is in the squad and is expected to be a starter for Nigeria.

Although, Rohr praised the improvement in the striker’s professionalism, he chose not to take him along for the tournament.

Iheanacho will now focus on breaking into the Leicester side next season, under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

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AFCON 2019: Rohr reveals Super Eagles’ players reaction to Mikel Obi’s return

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AFCON 2019: Rohr reveals Super Eagles’ players reaction to Mikel Obi’s return

 

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has claimed that the players were happy to have captain John Mikel Obi back in the squad.

Mikel Obi, who is currently without a club, has not featured for Nigeria since the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

However, the midfielder is in camp, ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations this month.

Describing Mikel Obi’s integration back into the team as “natural”, Rohr said “the players are happy to see him and he has been working very hard.”

Addressing reporters at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Tuesday evening, Rohr also expressed optimism that his players would do well at the 2019 AFCON, saying Nigerians can expect a fighting team.

“We have to be very fit because of high temperature in Egypt which is between 30 to 40 degrees centigrade and it will be difficult to recover. That is why we have to prepare very well.

“Our first match is against Burundi and we have to beat this team. We have in our group two teams who are newcomers because they have never been to the AFCON before.

“It is not going to be easy playing against them because they will have enthusiasm. Guinea also has a very good team.

“We have to come out of this group and try to be in the round of 16 and quarter finals. We have a lot of games to play and we are ready for that,” the German said.

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Manchester United Wonder Kid, Kehinde Reveals Why He Chose Nigeria Over England

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Manchester United Wonder Kid, Kehinde Reveals Why He Chose Nigeria Over England

Manchester United youngster, Tosin Kehinde has explained why he chose to play for Nigeria instead of England.

The young central midfielder and his representatives had held talks with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Vice President Shehu Dikko, Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi and manager Gernot Rohr at the Super Eagles Crowne Plaza Hotel in London before the national team’s friendly against Serbia.

He told BBC Sports, ”Nigeria has always been a part of me. I was born there. My whole family are Nigerian.

“I come from a very strong Nigerian background, so the influence has always been around me.”

Kehinde is hoping to follow the footsteps of Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina. He did not hide his admiration for Jay Jay Okocha and John Mikel Obi.

He added, ”When you are growing up, when you see players like Jay Jay Okocha, how good he was and the current crop of players such as Alex Iwobi and Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, the desire to get the opportunity to play for Nigeria has always been there really.”

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2018 World Cup: Super Eagle Will Need Obafemi Martins' Experience - Yobo

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2018 World Cup: Super Eagle Will Need Obafemi Martins' Experience - Yobo

 

Ex-Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has urged coach, Gernot Rohr to consider Shanghai Shenhua striker, Obafemi Martins for a return to the national team before the commencement of the 2018 World Cup in June.

Yobo believes Martins’s experience will be useful for the team during the tournament in Russia.

“I am not imposing players on Rohr, but I think the likes of Obafemi Martins and Austin Ejide can help strengthen the defective areas,” Yobo told Vanguard.

“They are experienced players and they know the in and out of Nigeria football”, he said.

Meanwhile, Obafemi scored three goals in a match which helped his team beat Hebei 4-2 in the Chinese Super League at the weekend.

The former Newcastle United and Inter Milan star has earned 42 caps for Nigeria.

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2018 World Cup: Obuh Warns Rohr On Super Eagles' Squad, Says Stop Experimenting

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2018 World Cup: Obuh Warns Rohr On Super Eagles' Squad, Says Stop Experimenting

 

Former Nigeria U-17 team coach, John Obuh has told Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, to stop experimenting with his team ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

With less than 80 days left before the tournament, Obuh feels Rohr should be concentrating on the players he will take to Russia.

Reacting to Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat by Serbia in an international friendly on Tuesday in London, Obuh claimed the Eagles played badly because the coaches did not use the main players.

“I think it is too early to start passing negative comments on the Eagles now. My position is that Rohr should stop spending time testing players.

“He should learn from other big teams like Germany, Spain who are already working with their main team to produce better-organised squads before the World Cup.

“In the game against Serbia, the Eagles were outplayed because the coach was still testing. The tactically disciplined Eagles we saw in the World Cup qualifiers were different from the ones that played the friendly.

“Rohr would have used the main team in the first half and injected one or two new players in the second half to blend with the team,” he said.

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Mikel Obi, Etebo, Ebuehi To Start In Nigeria Vs Serbia Match

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Mikel Obi, Etebo, Ebuehi To Start In Nigeria Vs Serbia Match

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr will have captain John Obi Mikel back for Tuesday’s friendly game against Serbia in London.

The Tianjin TEDA midfielder did not play against Poland on Friday, as he was unable to sort out logistic issues.

Rohr has however ruled out Bursaspor fullback, Shehu Abdullahi, after he limped out of the Poland match.

Abdullahi was substituted with what looked like a hamstring injury, with Tyronne Ebuehi coming in his place. He is expected to undergo a scan while in the UK with the rest of the squad.

“We have some injured players ahead of the game against Serbia, but we are hopeful the injury isn’t a serious one.

“Abdullahi will have a scan in England to determine if he can play but like you saw today Ebuehi can play if he is not fit,” Rohr said.

The coach also said he is hopeful that Las Palmas midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, will be available for the game.

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Kelechi Iheanacho Needs More Playing Time In Leicester City - Rohr

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Kelechi Iheanacho Needs More Playing Time In Leicester City - Rohr

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has said Kelechi Iheanacho needs more game time at Leicester City.

Iheanacho has endured a frustrating spell at the King Power Stadium, ever since he moved there from Manchester City.

The Nigerian forward has scored six goals from just eight starts, making 13 substitute appearances in all competitions.

Rohr has said that he was impressed with the forward’s contribution off the bench against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, but is keen for Claude Puel to place more faith in the 21-year-old.

“Kelechi is doing very well. I’m in touch with his coach – Claude Puel – he’s a friend of mine.

“Let him now play a little bit more and I hope he does because it is not enough playing 20 minutes, even if he scores. He has to play more and I hope now he will have the opportunity to play other games and to be fit for our two friendlies,” the German told Goal.

Nigeria face Poland and Serbia before the end of March as the former African champions continue their preparations for the World Cup.

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2018 World Cup: Rohr Reveals His New Tactics Ahead Poland, Serbia Friendlies

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2018 World Cup: Rohr Reveals His New Tactics Ahead Poland, Serbia Friendlies

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed that he will use the two international friendlies against Poland and Serbia to try out new formations with his team.

Nigeria will face Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Gernot Rohr’s men will face Poland on March 23 and four days later, they tackle Serbia in London in international friendly match ahead of the World Cup in June.

“I hope to try different systems (in these matches), so we can change when necessary,” Rohr told reporters.

“We have played 4-3-3, 5-3-2 already. We also hope to improve team harmony after did well in last two games, while playing offensive football,” he said.

The Franco-German coach also said he will give fresh call-ups Joel Obi (Torino), Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly) and Gabriel Okechukwu (Akwa United) a chance to stake a claim for places on the World Cup-bound squad.

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Nigeria Faces Poland, Serbia, Eguaveon Slams Rohr For Not Including More NPFL Players

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Nigeria Faces Poland, Serbia, Eguaveon Slams Rohr For Not Including More NPFL Players

 

Former Super Eagles head coach, Austin Eguavoen, has criticized current handler, Gernot Rohr, for naming only two players from the Nigeria Professional Football League in his latest squad for friendly matches against Poland and Serbia.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Gabriel Okechukwu were included in the 28-man list , with Stephen Eze, who joined Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv from Kano Pillars earlier this year, also named.

“I saw the list and it’s a good one,” Eguavoen told Complete Sports.

“but I think there should be more players from the league in his squad.”

Rohr also largely ignored the African Nations Championship squad that reached the final in Morocco last month.

“Eze was a standout player from the African Nations Championship, so he deserved his place,” Eguavoen added.

“Gabriel Okechukwu is a good striker and he possesses a certain unpredictability when playing which could be an asset.

“[He’s] relatively unknown, and could spring surprises.”

Nigeria face Poland at the Stadion Miejski on March 23, before playing Serbia at Barnet’s Hive Stadium in London four days later.

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World Cup 2018: Rohr To Invite 28 Players For Super Eagles'Friendlies

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World Cup 2018: Rohr To Invite 28 Players For Super Eagles'Friendlies 

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has confirmed that he will invite 28 players for their upcoming friendly games against Poland and Serbia.

Rohr also said he would select two players from Nigeria’s squad to this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).

‎”I am going to have a list of 28 players for the two games and there will be two players from the CHAN team of Morocco. I was there I saw all the games.

“I was living with them and my assistant Yusuf (Salisu) did a big job with Alloy (Agu), the goalkeeper trainer and also the medical staff, they did very well with Imama also. So it’s the same squad I have with me in my World Cup.

“We are sure the information are always first class informations. And then yes, so I will believe two players will be in the list, they can have a chance,” Rohr told OwnGoalNigeria.

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