Reading Rohr’s mind ahead of Poland, Serbia friendlies
The Super Eagles have officially commenced preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with the release of the 28 man-list for the friendly matches against Poland and Serbia.
The two matches are among the six friendlies the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has lined up for the three-time African champions to prepare for the World Cup in Russia.
Thus, at the moment, the most topical issue as far as Super Eagles preparation for the World Cup is concerned is the upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Serbia in Wroclaw and London.
Interestingly, the list of 28 players for the two friendly matches did not surprise many because the usual suspects made the list.
It is a mixture of players who have booked their places in the team to Russia and those who are knocking at the door.
While players like John Mikel Obi, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Moses, Simon Moses, William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun, Shehu Abdullahi Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Onazi Ogenyi and Odion Ighalo are seen as sure bets for the World Cup, others like Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Oghenekaro Etebo and Kelechi Iheanacho still need to convince the coach to consider them for the World Cup.
Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Onazi Ogenyi, Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile were at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The ‘fringe Eagles’ are the ones with points to prove as the friendly matches are played. Players like Tyronne Ebuehi, Olaoluwa Aina, Brian Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Stephen Eze will battle to find spaces in the team’s defence.
Returnee Joel Obi, John Ogu and Uche Agbo will slug it out among themselves to join the trio of captain John Mikel Obi, Wilfred Ndidi and Onazi Ogenyi in the midfield.
Although he played in the qualifying matches, Leicester City striker, Kelechi Ihanacho is said to be among the fringe strikers and will have to up his game to make the cut for Russia.
He will shine the light for debutants like Junior Ajayi and Gabriel Okechukwu to follow.
Thus, as the Super Eagles prepare for the two friendly matches, Nigerian football fans are busy reading the mind of coach Rohr who has not hidden his intention to try as many players as possible.
If he keeps to his body language, then most of the already established Eagles will only guide the ‘fringe Eagles’ to prosecute the matches.
All eyes will therefore be on new boys, Francis Uzoho, Ebuehi, Idowu, Aina, Eze, Okechukwu and Ajayi as they try to impress the coach.
Uzoho who keeps for Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish league made his debut for the Super Eagles in the friendly against Argentina. It was a good moment for him as the Eagles defeated Argentina 4-2.
He came on as a substitute in the second half and made some saves to give Nigerians an idea of what he is capable of doing between the sticks.
However, most Nigerians are still worried that the team’s major undoing at the World Cup would be the goalkeeping department as they feel the three keepers listed by Rohr are not good enough for the mundial.
Rohr would therefore like to give the new goalkeeper enough time during the friendly matches to prove that he is good enough to become the team’s number one keeper ahead of Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi.
The coach will also like to see if Idowu, Tyronne, and Aina would prove to be better than Shehu Abdullahi and Elderson Echiejile in the full back positions.
Just like Uzoho, the trio gave Nigerians a slice of what to expect from them in the friendly match against Argentina.
When they were introduced in the second half of the match, youngsters immediately changed the tempo of the game. They brought in the required momentum and that was how the tide changed in favour of the Eagles.
Idowu crowned his effort with a well taken goal on his debut. If he would continue from where he stopped against Argentina, he is likely going to be in Russia.
Moreover, he is said to be Rohr’s favourite as apart from his contributions on the field, he would serve as the team’s interpreter during the World Cup due to his fluent use of the Russian language.
Although many may not fancy their chances of gate-crashing the World Cup squad, Ajayi, Okechukwu, Joel Obi, Eze and Awaziem would enjoy Rohr’s gesture of playing time to prove that they are World Cup materials.
Okechukwu and Eze were rewarded with the invitations due to their outstanding performances for the Home-based Eagles at the 2018 CHAN in Morocco.
They may not immediately realise their dream of playing at the World Cup but the experience to be acquired should be enough reward.
Former international, Moses Kpakor has advised Rohr to make judicious use of the friendly matches by allowing the ‘fringe Eagles’ more time to play.
He said that in as much as there is the need to win for national pride, the matches should be used for assessment of the players for the World Cup.
The former BCC Lions captain maintained that if the coach allows for healthy competition for shirts in the team, everybody would brace up.
“In my opinion, I feel that the coach should make judicious use of the friendly matches by giving more playing time to the other players who did not play much during the qualifiers.
“They should be allowed enough time to play and prove that they are good enough for the World Cup.
“If they prove to be good, even the established stars in the team will sit up and there would be healthy competition for shirts,” he advised.
The Super Eagles will take on Bialo- Czerwoni (white &red) or Eagles as the senior national team of Poland is called on Friday, March 23 at the 43,000 capacity stadium Wroclaw.
Four days later, they will face the Serbian national team at The Hive, home ground of Barnet FC and London Bees.