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| Super Eagles of Nigeria |
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr
believes that with quality preparations Nigeria can get to the semi final of
the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt this summer.
Interestingly Rohr does not think the
Eagles are among the favourites to win the Championship as a result of the fact
that they missed the last two editions.
“If we have good preparation in good
conditions, Nigeria must aim for the semi-finals of AFCON 2019. We have a very
young team that can do well,” Rohr stated in an interview with CAF’s website.
The three-time champions are making a
return after missing the 2015 and 2017 editions.
Rohr and Eagles in training
before Poland friendly
The Eagles face Seychelles in the
last group match of the AFCON qualifier and even though they have qualified,
Rohr has stated he is not taking the match for granted.
To buttress his seriousness,
the German retained the usual faces on the 23-man squad released last week for
the match billed for Asaba on March 22. While Rohr has left out captain
Mikel Obi and Kelechi Iheanacho, he extended an invitation to Denmark based
Paul Onuachu whose inclusion he insisted was on merit.
‘He has the experience of Europe at
the height of his 24 years.
”His size is obviously his strength
with his 2m01 and the beautiful goals scored in the Danish championship. This
is another profile for us in attack.”
On Mikel, “He has arrived in
Middlesbrough recently. He told me he was not ready and needs to work after his
knee injury in China. He did not play all winter either. He was not ruled out
for the AFCON but could not make that match in Asaba. We will see for the
future. ”he added.
Rohr also provides update on the
Victor Moses who retired from international football after the World Cup.
“I was against his international
retirement and, if he changed his mind, he must tell me but I have no
information about it. We’ll see. ”he said.
On why he dropped Iheanacho, Rohr
said the Leicester forward has struggled for playing time this season.
“Kelechi needs to play with his club.
He also needs to take advantage of the international break to show his
qualities to his new coach. I give him time but there is danger for the CAN for
those who do not play regularly in their club. The final list for the AFCON far
from being made for anyone. “he declared.
He defended the inclusion of Enyimba
defender Valentine Ozornwafor who shone for the Flying Eagles at the 2019
Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger.
“I expect this player to bring his
freshness, his physical strength (1m97) and technical quality. It also offers
us an additional option since we have a lot of right sided defenders. I saw him
in Niger at the AFCON and I like his aerial game, ”he added.
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