Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has lamented the absence of three key players; Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying double-header against Central African Republic, reports Completesports.com.
The trio are currently injured and are not part of the squad currently preparing for the games.
Ndidi and Iwobi are expected to be sidelined for few weeks, while Etebo has already been ruled out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Rohr Sweating Over Onuachu Fitness For CAR Clash
“We will be missing two of our midfielders (Ndidi and Etebo), even Iwobi is out too,”Rohr told a press conference on Tuesday.
“It’s not good but we to deal with the situation. We have other players who can replace them
The Super Eagles will host Les Fauves at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Thursday.
The reverse fixture is billed for the Japoma Stadium, Douala on Sunday.
8 Comments
Nigeria is loaded with talented players that can replace the three injured.
I don’t see any issue at all provided the coaching crew know what to do.
Let see how it goes tomorrow
Is Kingsley Michael injured? I need to know because dude had a massive game against Cape Verde… if he aint injured, it is hard to understand why he is not called up this time…
Yeah he’s injured
Yes he is currently injured and hasn’t made the last 3 or so matchday squads..
To be honest, the midfield looks very light in the absence of the heavyweights. That is what they are: Iwobi, Etebo, Ndidi and from 2019 Aribo are the behemoths and pillars of Super Eagles’ midfield.
In the last 24 months across 12 competitive games, Nigeria’s midfield has been more or less dominated by this quartet with Aribo and Etebo being alternated.
They have formed a bond and understanding which tends to dictate the formation that Rohr adopts. The German tactician seems to trust these 4 player to interpret the thinking and philosophy that goes into his tactical set up.
Either in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation or his now-sparingly used 5-3-2 formation, Rohr can trust Ndidi and Aribo (or Etebo) to sit just behind Iwobi in midfield. And as these players have now been oiling the midfield machine together for quite some time now, it brings continuity, greater understanding and more propensity for positive outcomes.
As 75% of his favoured midfield set up is not available, what does Rohr do?
It will be interesting to see if, like the last match against Cape Verde, he goes for a formation that more mirrors 4-4-2. The might suggest that he does yet trust others to do the work of his regulars in midfield.
I think he should stick to how he sets his team up normally. Bonke can replace Ndidi (for a second time) side by side with the disciplined Onyeka while Aribo can be pushed further forward where Iwobi would play normally. After all, Aribo plays offensively a lot for Rangers.
Several fans have often suggested that Shehu could be deployed in Ndidi’s place but there appears to be no appetite from Rohr to explore that option.
Another possibility is to retain Aribo in his normal centre midfield position whilst drafting Musa as the attacking midfielder with Onyeka playing Ndidi’s role.
Either way, there are viable options on ground for any formation or set up Rohr wishes to adopt tomorrow.
“It’s not good (to lose Ndidi, Etebo and Iwobi,” said Rohr,”but we to deal with the situation. We have other players who can replace them.”
Nigeria’s midfield might not be spectacular but it is solid enough. A new look midfield set up contributed to the positive result against Cape Verde. In all probability, the ‘replacements’ at Rohr’s disposal should be capable of doing a double against Central Africa Republic.
Aribo and onyeka is there, bonke is there, Iheanacho is attacking Midfielder, if any player got injured, God have given another player opportunity to shine, is up to that player to shine because they professionals, they know what to do
For me Etebo is a big blow for us because of what he brings to the side against physical opponents.