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Tag: Gernot Rohr

  • AFCON: Super Eagles have no superstars, says Gernot Rohr

    AFCON: Super Eagles have no superstars, says Gernot Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach , Gernot Rohr has said that there are no superstar players in his current squad ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    He added that the team must play as a unit to be successful at the tournament in Egypt.

    Speaking with TV Continental yesterday, Rohr, a former Bayern Munich defender, argued his point by declaring that no Nigeria international was included in Africa’s finest XI at the 2018 CAF Awards.

    He said: ‘’Since the World Cup the team changed, we invited some new young players who did very well, we have players who are playing in Europe, we have players who are playing in big teams.

    ‘’We don’t have big stars in our team, you see none of our players was in the African Team of the Year, we don’t have these players who Nigeria had in the past.

    ‘’Our strength is playing collective football with good spirit. Let’s work with this kind of spirit all the time and we’ll be ready by the 15th of June.’’

    Ahmed Musa, Obi Mikel, Emmanuel Emenike, Junior Ajayi, Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo and Vincent Enyeama have been included in CAF Team of the Year in the past.

  • AFCON: Super Eagles coach Rohr insists Mikel still has big role to play

    AFCON: Super Eagles coach Rohr insists Mikel still has big role to play

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has stated clearly that Mikel Obi has an important role to play for Nigeria at the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

    Mikel has not played any game for Nigeria since the Super Eagles were sent out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Group stage in Russia.

    The former Chelsea star recently completed a move to English Championship side Middlesbrough where he is expected to be until the end of the ongoing season.

    And while reacting to his move to Boro after spending two years at Chinese club Tianjin Teda, Rohr said Mikel must demonstrate his fitness ahead of the 2019 Nations Cup.

    ‘’We need good players, we need experience, we need the Captain in good fitness so he can bring something to the team.

    ’’We already have good players, it is a competition, nobody has his starting place guaranteed even Mikel has to fight.

    ‘Perhaps he can come and not start the game also, you know this. All is possible, the best one will play.

    ‘’His experience again is very important and to be respected as a team if you play international tournaments or very important games,” Gernot Rohr explained.

    Mikel Obi has played at the 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013 African Cup of Nations championship for the Super Eagles.

  • Super Eagles coach Rohr speaks on Moses return

    Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr on Wednesday said that the door of the team was still open for the team’s ace winger, Victor Moses, but he must show commitment and fight for shirt.

    Rohr made the comment on the sidelines of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 4 between MFM FC and Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    On Moses comeback to the team after announcing his premature retirement after the World Cup in Russia, Rohr said he appreciated Moses’s quality as a winger.

    Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr on Wednesday said that the door of the team was still open for the team’s ace winger, Victor Moses, but he must show commitment and fight for shirt.

    Rohr made the comment on the sidelines of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 4 between MFM FC and Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    On Moses comeback to the team after announcing his premature retirement after the World Cup in Russia, Rohr said he appreciated Moses’s quality as a winger.

    “Victor Moses is a player with lots of quality but stopped playing for the National team after the World Cup. We have to respect his decision not to play again.

    “If he wants to come back to the team, it is okay but he must show a lots of motivation, he must show that he is fit to play for the team because we have other players playing well in his position now.

    “Moses has to be strong to come back to the team because we have more options on the wings now like Samuel Kalu, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa. All these players are on his wings.

    “Victor Moses comeback is a good news for us,” he said.

  • Super Eagles: I don’t have issues with Onazi, Rohr declares

    Super Eagles: I don’t have issues with Onazi, Rohr declares

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has denied speculations that there is an ongoing rift between himself and Trabzonspor midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

    Onazi was a late withdrawal from the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya in October citing injury, only for the midfielder to feature for his Turkish club in their next league match at the end of the international break.

    The former Golden Eaglets star was surprisingly omitted from the Super Eagles squad against South Africa despite being fit and the unavailability of the suspended Wilfred Ndidi and injured captain Obi Mikel.

    Speaking as a guest on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, the German stated :‘’After compiling my list of players for any particular match, l submit to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Technical Committee.

    ‘’I have to submit for them to approve. However there has never been any time where they have asked me to drop a player. That l would not accept. It is not true that l have issues with Ogenyi.’’

    Onazi started and went the distance in all the knockout games contested by the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

  • Victor Ikpeba task Rohr on strengthening Super Eagles midfield

    Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has urged Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr to strengthen his midfield ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.

    The three-time African champions wrapped up their 2018 campaign with a goalless draw at home with Uganda at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba Delta State on Tuesday.

    Ikpeba notes that there were positives from the fringe players who featured in the encounter despite the result.

    Rohr made six changes to his starting line-up that played against Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg, with Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Mikel Agu making their first start while Bryan Idowu and Daniel Akpeyi returned to action after sitting out the team’s last three games.

    “We need to see more from Osimhen, Success and Onyekuru,” the 1996 Africa Footballer of the Year said during his post-match analysis on Supersports tv after the international friendly game between Super Eagles and Uganda Cranes.

    “Ajayi did well in his first start. With Mikel, Ighalo and hopefully Moses back in the team, the Super Eagles will be very formidable.

    “Samuel Kalu’s performance so far has not made us miss Moses. He brings an element of surprise to the team and also his crosses are very good.

    “The transition of this team from the midfield to the attack remains the weakest link of the team.

    “We are not quick enough. If we get our transition right, we will be unbeatable in Cameroon.

    “We have to do well in Cameroon after missing out on two editions. We will be a threat in Cameroon with the qualities we have, but we must be ready.

    “Egypt, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia are there; they will be there to compete.”

    The former Monaco and Borussia Dortmund forward would also predict that the Super Eagles will reach the semi-finals of the 2019 AFCON.

    “Winning the AFCON will be difficult and I think the last four will be a good outing for the Super Eagles,” Ikpeba reiterated.

    “With a game to spare, they qualified for the AFCON. The players were showed patriotism to get this result. The boys reacted positively. There’s unity and love among the players.”

    “We need continuity and that has helped the team as well.”

  • Nigeria vs Uganda: Rohr reveals players to feature in friendly match

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said that he will field players that did not feature against South Africa at the AFCON qualifiers, when they face Uganda in an international friendly on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta state.

    Nigeria booked their place in the continent’s biggest football competition after securing a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday.

    Rohr who is expected to make at least six changes to his starting line-up to face Uganda Cranes.

    During his pre-match conference on Monday, he said “When you play the 3-5-2 formation you have your front two (Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho) running all game and they get tired most times, so we have to take them off and introduce players who can offer us same upfront.

    “Iwobi was ‎also tired and Ajayi came in to protect the result for us. In our next game we will try some players who didn’t get to play and also those who didn’t make the bench,” the German explained.

    Bryan Idowu who missed the team’s last three games will start at right-back while Jamilu Collins keeps his place at left-back.

    In midfield, Victoria Setubal midfielder Mikel Agu could line up alongside John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo while Isaac Success is set to lead the lines for the Super Eagles and he will be flanked by captain Ahmed Musa and Samuel Kalu.

    Rohr also revealed his selection format in the goalkeeping area, “We have two goalkeepers who didn’t play against South Africa, we’ll make about six changes because we want to see everyone”, he said.

    “Afelokhai and Akpeyi will feature in both halves of the game.”

    The game will kickoff at 4.30pm.

  • Rohr calls up Musa, Omeruo, 21 others for South Africa, Uganda clash [Full list]

    Rohr calls up Musa, Omeruo, 21 others for South Africa, Uganda clash [Full list]

    Super Eagles’ head coach Gernot Rohr has called up stand-in team captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for preparations ahead of the senior national male football team’s two upcoming matches.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team have ahead of them next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
    They also have a friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba three days later.
    Former FIFA Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Samuel Chukwueze earning a first call-up.
    Midfielder Mikel Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and home-based defender Adeleye Aniyikaye are also called up.
    But mostly, Rohr has kept faith with the group which beat Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.
    Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is ineligible for the match after bagging yellow cards in the away matches against Seychelles and Libya, has been left out.
    Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are among three goalkeepers invited to camp, while Olaoluwa Aina, William Ekong, Leone Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are included among eight defenders.
    Also, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu are listed among three midfielders, while Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu and Alex Iwobi are among nine forwards.
    However, Henry Onyekuru and Junior Lokosa are listed among five players on stand-by.
    Nigeria lead Group E of the qualification series with nine points.
    They will face second-placed South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Nov. 17 in one of the Match Day 5 fixtures.
    Victory in the match will automatically send the Eagles to the 2019 AFCON finals in Cameroon.
    The second ticket in Group E to be down to a battle between the Bafana and the Knights.
    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the Super Eagles would fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on Nov. 18 for the friendly with the Cranes on Nov. 20.
    All the invited players are expected to report direct in Asaba on Nov. 12.
    THE FULL LIST
    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
    William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)
    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
    Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)
    Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)
    NAN

  • Why I’ve not invited Ambrose to Super Eagles – Rohr

    Why I’ve not invited Ambrose to Super Eagles – Rohr

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has explained why Hibernian FC defender, Efe Ambrose has been overlooked from his team since he took charge two years ago.
    Ambrose has been Nigeria’s most consistent defender in Europe this season having featured in all Hibernian FC’s 17 games in all competitions this season.
    In a chat with CSN, Rohr admitted that Ambrose was a valuable option but he has five quality defenders in his team who have been playing well.
    “He’s a good player and we are monitoring him,” Rohr told CSN.
    “At the moment, we have five good defenders who are doing well in the team and he will only get his chance when one loses his form.”
    Rohr will soon name his 23 man squad for next month’s 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and the 30 year old may not be included.
    Meanwhile, Rohr says the three time African champions will be seeking to avenge a 2-0 home loss against South Africa.
    The Bafana Bafana recorded their first ever competitive game win over Nigeria in June 2017 when they won 2-0 in Uyo.
    The two teams clash again on November 17 in Johannesburg with Nigeria needing a win to qualify for Cameroon 2019 with a game to spare.
    “The defeat still hurts and we want to take revenge for it,” the coach told Kick-Off Magazine.
    “They beat us with strong counter attacks in Uyo. We dominated the game and actually played quite well in the first half, but didn’t score.”
    “And then they attacked us on the counter, one towards the end when we pressed for the equaliser.”
    Rohr continued: “It was in June 2017, which is now quite a long time ago.
    “I remember we had many players absent at the time, with that match taking place in the break between the seasons.
    “I’m happy that everyone will be available this time around and that our team can get revenge for that defeat.”

  • Super Eagles best players are foreign based – Rohr

    Super Eagles best players are foreign based – Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that the national team best players are outside the country.
    The Super Eagles under Rohr have only featured overseas-based players with only one home-based player – goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa – regularly invited to the national team.
    Also, there were reports that the Nigeria Football Federation plans to influence the German to limit the number of overseas-based players invited for matches due to funding constraints, Punch reports.
    But Rohr, who spoke on Monday Night Football on Supersports, said the abrupt end of the Nigeria Professional Football League has made it difficult for him to invite the players from the league.
    “The best players are playing in Europe. We have to take the best players, whether they are all playing in Europe or China. I called the (NFF) president (when I saw this report), he couldn’t confirm this. If it costs $10,000 to fly in a player and he comes and scores five goals, that comes down to $2,000 a goal and then it’s not so expensive,” he said.
    “In the recent past we have selected some local players but immediately they travel to Europe, where we have to watch them again for a while. Such players like Al-Hassan (Ibrahim) Odey (Stephen) and Eze (Stephen), who was good in CHAN.
    “We invited four of them for the last friendly against Liberia where we were able to see them but the main problem is that they have not played league matches in the last three to four months and this would have affected their level of fitness, rhythm and competitiveness.
    “But with Imama (Amapakabo), Agu (Aloy) and Salisu Yusuf, who is still assisting us, we are having a look at them and there is still room for any player to join the team.”
    He said they are working on getting a regular club for Ezenwa, who has been behind Theophilus Afelokhai in the Enyimba pecking order.
    He said, “We have Ezenwa, who is doing well in the team. But we are worried that he is not playing regularly and as such we are working to get him a place where he can compete regularly to ensure that he achieves maximum level of fitness for the team.”
    The former Burkina Faso coach denied reports that the NFF had paid his salaries up to December.
    “I am just hearing the news as well. However, there is no truth in it because I haven’t been paid till December. But with the progress we are making with the team, we are excited to work ahead and the money issue is not the problem we have for now,” he said.

  • Libya v Nigeria: Super Eagles victory a huge test of character – Rohr

    Libya v Nigeria: Super Eagles victory a huge test of character – Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr is proud of his team performance against Libya in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification encounter.
    The Super Eagles had gone two goals up in the opening 17 minutes courtesy Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa before the hosts even scores.
    Mohamed Zubya headed home in the 35th minute before Ahmad Benali completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
    Coach Gernot Rohr is proud of Nigeria’s performance against Libya in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification clash.
    The Super Eagles had gone two goals up in the opening 17 minutes courtesy Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa before the hosts even scores.
    Mohamed Zubya headed home in the 35th minute before Ahmad Benali completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
    And when it looked like result would end on a no winner, no vanquished note, Ighalo sealed the victory with his 81st-minute strike – his second of the game.
    Nonetheless, the German tactician feels the tie was a good test for his team and disclosed that his team will keep fighting until an Afcon ticket is secured.


    “I congratulate my team for this victory. It was a huge test of our character,” Rohr told NFF media after the game.
    “We lost a two-goal lead but fought hard instead of dropping our heads. We will stay humble because we have not qualified for Afcon yet. We keep fighting.”
    With this result, the three-time African champions top Group E with nine points after three matches.
    Nigeria will face South Africa in their next encounter on 16 November, while Seychelles welcome Libya to Victoria.