Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has explained why Samuel Kalu was excluded from his squad for this month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde, Completesports.com reports.
Kalu has featured regularly for the three-time African champions since making his debut against Equatorial Guinea in 2018.
The 24-year-old was however surprisingly omitted from the list released early this week by Rohr for the qualifiers.
The German tactician has however revealed that the winger asked for permission to be left out of both games in a bid to concentrate on his club career.
Read Also: NFF Gives Update On Lookman’s Switch To Nigeria
“I spoke with him (Kalu) and he asked not to be selected,” Rohr told France Bleu Gironde.
“He made a very good argument about wanting to concentrate on the club – he told me that the time had come for him to give his all, to fight to regain his place in the Girondin’s squad. I found his speech to be very positive.
“We have a lot of wingers in our squad, that is true. The competition is fierce, but I think what matters now is for him to have a starting place at Girondins. He has the means, but he has to be in top physical condition.”
The former Gent player has scored twice in 13 appearances for Nigeria.
By Adeboye Amosu
13 Comments
Can you imagine ???
Imagine what? Like you have nothing to say. My brother reading is allowed. The gaffe just clarified you on why Kalu is unavailable.
DEFINITELY, HE NEED TO BE EXCLUDED FOR AFCON2022 SO THAT HE WILL ABLE TO CONCENTRATE FULLY FOR HIS CLUB DUTY
Hmmmm. Rohr Baba!! You sure??? We need to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Who will not like to represent over 200 million people on the field of play?
CSN/Nigerian Media and Nigerian public as a whole, you are also causing Rohr and Pinnick to commit atrocity. Dis one pass oga sir Matta o. Dey dere dey ask yeye questions… Which names have we fans been quering and complaining about which names have we almost brought the chat section on CSN forum to a shut down for?.
Instead of you people to Query the exclusion and his reason for omitting 2nd highest goal scorer in German League and the reasons for not calling Dennis and his lack of Enthusiasm to secure Victor “The moving train” Moses. You are there asking about Kalu whom we all know has lost form and really hasn’t been the same player since the kidnappings and constant Injury niggles. You guys really are not helping things really.
@Ugo, here’s the link you asked for about when Victor Moses rejected to come out of retirement for SE. This was published by OwnGoal on October 27th 2021
Also Why is it only coming to light now something which I suspected and raised before he lost form briefly but was shut down on this forum, now he is back in form and it has come out that his Switch was long finished before the start of the season.. a player who was in a blaze the first 3 games why was he not considers by Rohr.
You see the problem is These position should be slugged out by guys in form likes Awoniyi Vic Moses, Chukwueze, Dennis, Lookman and Co. No these guys Healthy competition for places in the team. Is that too much to ask. I mean it is worldwide knowledge that these names coupled with the likes of Osimhen
Ndidi, Iheanacho, Iwobi and so on are the ones still giving us bragging rights in World Football currently as Nigerians. But so sad how their own country values their hardwork and determination on the World stage, no reward SAD!!
Kalu has not been in the first eleven of his club for some weeks now and it is very unusual……I so much believe in Kalu……very good and strong legs…..can shot from range……can dribble very well……has very good crosses and corner kicks…..I know he will reclaim his starting eleven shirt at his club soon……Best of luck.
I Agree with you on that @Akp.. bro a 100% fit Kalu who regains form can rival any winger in World Football Today, and to be frank with you Kalu in his current state is of 10x more value than Musa in that squad. Think about it If Rohr can drop Kalu and not Musa that is to show that Musa is really undroppavle in that squad. Because it is of know knowledge that Kalu was one of Rohr trusted players in Rohr early days at the helm of SE. What does that say about Rohr and his motivational capacity. Rohr is not the right person to lead us. Because Kalu currently is in better form than Musa. Talkless of Emma Dennis
Na wao! These CS noise makers haven’t slept? Una too much.
He was always on the bench as Rohr prefers his 12th defender Simon Moses. In terms of skills, assists and attack prowess, Simon does not come close. Why should he come on the first place or can you compare Musa with him.
What was Musa’s role against CAR away? Why did he start that game with Kalu on the bench? Questions begging answers. Kalu, please rest jare.
@coach they will tell you Musa scored 4 goals at the WC therefore he must play until he starts walking with a walking stick forgetting that the player has declined
WHY NOT JUST SAY EJUKE IS IN BETTER FORM THAN KALU RIGHT NOW. HE IS PLAYING MORE REGULARLY AND PERFORMING BETTER. SO THAT IS THE REASON.