‘He won’t start against CAR’ — Rohr hits Okoye over late arrival to Eagles camp

Gernot Rohr has questioned the professionalism of Maduka Okoye over his late arrival to the Super Eagles camp for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup double-header qualifying games against the Central African Republic (CAR).

Okoye was missing from the Super Eagles first training session on Tuesday. The goalkeeper then arrived at the team’s camp in Lagos a few hours after completing the session.

In a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Rohr expressed his displeasure at the 22-year-old’s late arrival while describing it as “unprofessional.”

The Franco-German added that Okoye — who had tended the goal for Nigeria in the last two World Cup qualification games — remains doubtful for the match.

“Maduka arrived in the night; he missed his flight. I’m not happy about it because it’s not professional, and I’m not sure he will start the game,” Rohr said.

“We have two other goalkeepers, and it’s not going to be an easy match, and when players arrive late, it’s not helping us because we said we have to be serious.

“He already had one training with us, I spoke with him, and he knows what he did  (coming late to camp) is not good; we tried to arrange a good flight for him, but he missed it.

“They have to be really serious when they come to the national team. Like I said, there’s no assurance he will start the match. They have to learn, especially the young players like him; they have to be here on time.

“The time is very short to prepare for the match, and we know this match will not be easy.”

On hand to step into Okoye’s gloves as the Super Eagles take on CAR by 5 pm today are Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi.