Rohr in selection dilemma ahead of Sierra Leone clash

Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr, says it’s tough to pick a team for November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification double-header against Sierra Leone.

Rohr handed debuts to as many as six players during the international break in October, namely Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Samson Tijani, Kevin Akpoguma, Cyriel Dessers and Chidera Ejuke.

The Super Eagles bowed 1- 0 to reigning African champions in their first game before settling for a 1-1 draw with the Carthage Eagles on Tuesday.

In the absence of the likes of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, Rangers’ Joe Aribo, Galatasaray’s Peter Etebo and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, the games played in Austria gave the German tactician an opportunity to test new players.

Rohr believed that the Super Eagles merited a draw in their first friendly against the African champions and should have defeated the Tunisians on Tuesday night.

“Indeed, the results could have been better. We could have picked a draw against Algeria and a win against Tunisia,” Rohr told the Super Eagles Media team.

“We have some positives to pick out from the games because inspite of missing some key players we still competed well.

“Now it is going to be difficult for me to pick our list for the AFCON qualifiers next month because of the new boys who did well.

“I believe these very good friendly games will help us to return to winning ways when we play Sierra Leone next month ( home and away). Good results next month may see us qualifying for the 2022 AFCON already.”

Kelechi Iheanacho took the marksman’s role from gangling Paul Onuachu. After two misdirected shots by Samuel Chukwueze and Zaidu Sanusi, the former U17 World Cup winner showed his team mates how to do by holding the ball well inside the box, against Dylane Bronn, and firing past goalkeeper Ben Mustapha Farouk to put Nigeria in the lead for the first time in the tour. This was in the 21st minute.

Of the 26 players invited to the Super Eagles training camp, only four in the shape of Dele Alampasu, Mathew Yakubu, Ola Aina and Tobias Lawal did not taste action in the two matches this month.

Next up for the Super Eagles is a quickfire homeand- away AFCON qualifying fixture against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, between 9th and 17th November.