Rohr laments absence of Iheanacho, Iwobi, Ndidi ahead of Cape Verde clash
Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles coach, has lamented the absence of some of his key players ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification game against Cape Verde.
The Franco-German confirmed that there’s been an exodus at the Eagle’s camp with players who ply their trades in the UK departing due to COVID-19 restrictions.
TheCable had reported that the premier league clubs unanimously decided not to release players for international matches in places on the UK’s red-list.
Cape Verde is one of the countries listed on the UK’s COVID-19 “red list”, which means Nigeria will be without Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun, and William Ekong for the clash in Mindelo.
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The departure means Rohr will be without eight of the eleven players that started the 2-0 home victory over Liberia on Friday.
Speaking to reporters before the team left for Cape Verde, Rohr said the situation will be “a challenge for the staff and the players”.
He, however, added that the team will “show our solidarity” and get a positive result in Mindelo.
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“Some players are leaving because they cannot travel to Cape Verde and it’s not going to be easy to build a new team in two days,” the 68-year-old said.
”We are going to play with another defence, another midfield and without the goal scorer (Kelechi).
“It is a challenge for the staff and the players but we have to show our solidarity, and with the 20 players going to Cape Verde, we would be able to make a good team.
“We are going to play under two extreme conditions, after playing on heavy grass due to the rain (at the Teslim Balogun Stadium) and then another game on a dry pitch (against Cape Verde).
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“We have to manage the situation without searching for alibis if it is not going well and that our team is able to bring about good performance even when we know it is going to be more difficult.”
Super Eagles will play Cape Verde in the second match of the group on Tuesday by 5:00 pm.
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