This may probably be the best moment for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr with the news that some key members of the team have arrived in the country for the crucial 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.
Recall that the last few days have not been too good for the technical crew had learnt that a few of his players have been prevented from honouring the games due to the Covid-19 travel ban in Europe.
Last week Tuesday, it was Nantes that first announced that they won’t be able to release Simone Moses as a result of the ban which will force the player to be quarantined for two weeks upon arrival from the red zone country.
Days later, Almeria’s Umar Sadiq, FC Leganes defender, Kenneth Omeruo were also blocked by their clubs from featuring in the games due to Covid-19 fears.
Note, under current Covid-19 guidelines, footballers arriving in European countries are subject to spend time in quarantine and they cannot train and play for their club when they return.
To exacerbate the situation, Fifa extended an exemption for clubs to refuse the release of their players if there is a mandatory quarantine of five days or more in place in the relevant country.
While upcoming South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup have been postponed to allay such fears, the critical African Cup of Nations games were not.
However, with the arrival of some key players such as William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Henry Onyekuru, Semi Ajayi, Ahmed Musa, Oghenekaro Etebo, Maduka Okoye, Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi, Jamilu Collins, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, Adeleke Adekunle, Tyronne Ebuehi, Paul Onuachu, and others that will be expected later today, it will definitely be sweet music to the ears of Rohr.
The German tactician no doubt would have been worried about the sudden withdrawal of a few players from the games due to the Covid-19 travel ban, however, the arrival of the ‘superstars’ may have brought some glimpse of hope to the team’s quest of qualifying for the tournament.
Nigeria are currently top of Group L where all the teams, which include Benin, Sierra Leone, and Lesotho, can still qualify for January’s finals in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles have eight points, one ahead of the squirrels of Benin while the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have three points and Lesotho two.
A point and victory for the three-time AFCON champions against the Squirrel of Benin and Crocodile of Lesotho could all but guarantee qualification for the bi-annual showpiece in Cameroon.
By Augustine Akhilomen
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COMMENTS
“Hope For Nigeria As Super Eagles Foreign Based Players Arrive Camp”
Thank God for his mercy.
However, foriegn based players are not the hope of Nigeria because we also have local players that can do the job for Nigeria.
In that regard, God is Nigeria hope.
Foriegn based players without game plan is zero.
Foriegn based players without the perfect tactic is nothing.
We saw the outcome of our last game against Sierra Leone.
So for that reason, I won’t be deceived by that foriegn based players and foriegn coach no more.
What did the foriegn based players do against Sierra Leone?
Foreign based players and foriegn managers = Nigeria 4 vs Sierra Leone 4.
That means it’s not about foreign based players and the foriegn coach but the game plan and tactics will win the race on Saturday between Nigeria vs Benin.
Foriegn based players and the name of the country doesn’t play football. It is a matter of who wants the positive result next weekend.
We know what we have and we also know the capacity of the Nigerian coaches. What I can say now is that we should pray for Super Eagles and we should remain humble. Shikena. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Some of them are already having BP with this latest news.
They taught their evil plans would work but it turns sour. Hahahahaha
One of them is talking out of point in owngoalnigeria.com
“his opinion is that Rohr shouldn’t use foreign pros to get one point from BENIN/LESOTHO match”.
Tomorrow him & his cohort would claim they love nigeria.
love nigeria my foot.
Why didn’t they urge our quadiolas that can’t even qualify as best looser from a group that has SOUTH AFRICA, CONGO, SUDAN to use homebase & get one point.
All this pressure is just bcos the road to their bellies is blocked by this foreigner.
One of them has been settled & now he doesn’t criticise Rohr again.
Hand over this team to them & see how they’ll drag us to 120th in the world & 25th in africa.
Sometimes i wonder where this evil agender is driving them to.
They claim they love nigeria & fail to know it’s nigerians that make up nigeria.
They prefer hurting the emotion of over 150milion nigerians over their evil motive & selfish interest.