Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is not surprised by Bukayo Saka’s decision to accept his England call-up, reports Completesports.com.
Saka was handed his maiden call-up by England manager Gareth Southgate last week for the Three Lions upcoming games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.
Saka had been courted by Nigeria, and the 18-year-old’s decision to accept his first call up to the senior England squad left Super Eagles fans heartbroken.
Read Also: Akpoguma May Make Super Eagles Debut In Friendly Vs Algeria>
The Arsenal youngster has already reported for duty and will be ineligible to play for Nigeria again should he play a part in the UEFA Nations Cup fixtures against Belgium and Denmark.
“We are not surprised,” Rohr told ESPN.
“Of course we would have liked to have him with us, but we have to respect this kind of decision from him.
“I wish him good luck and a long career with England.”
Copyright © 2024 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
COMMENTS
That’s it? Is this all you got? Nawa o!
Whose heart did he leave broken? These media men never gonna stop making me laugh. Lolz. I and numerous others are exceedingly happy. Never for once saw him making the grades with our SE.
Thank you@Glory. The pain is for Saka and his family because he just lost the chance to have a fulfilling international career. England will dump him
A 19yr old player who had 4 goals and 11 assists for Arsenal last season, played 39 games and won the FA cup and already has a goal and 2 assists this season will not make the grades in the SE….? Pls how many SE players and even Nigerian players worldwide (apart from Sadiq Umar) had 11 assists last season even in their average clubs and leagues….not to talk of at the level Saka is playing.
You guys should stop all these your petty beef-talks. You are all acting like a guy who has just been rejected by the same pretty girl he has been chasing for months and now saying ‘she no even fine sef’. If she no fine why you dey pursue am.
Drey , reason I said I n many others are exceedingly happy is he may have scored loads but I repeat never a guarantee he will make the grades with SE. Richard Owobukiri, Peter Ijeh etc scored loads of goals but couldn’t make the grade. National team is for warrior like players. Saka doesn’t come across as one. Zaidu has that warrior like character in him and I wil pick such over Saka anytime anyday. @ Drey you must understand this has nothing to do with hate or anger towards Saka . For if you have been following my write-ups here regarding Saka, you would quite agree with me that I have never clamoured for his invitation, reason being as far as I m concerned, he lacks that aggression comparative to what we have at d moment. Please n please national team football is like going to war front while club football is like millitary camp at the most. So we need warriors and not office workers in the millitary camp.
@ Drey, again you see these two players Osazee urhogide and Iofa, yes they are playing for championship side, I see both as better national team players than Saka. This is something about football that seems difficult to explain.
I don’t think so @ Glory,rather many were gutted Saka choosed England over Nigeria.I bet you are if you are honest.We were all let down but wish the young lad a great future.He was always going to choose England over Nigeria anyway,I knew beforehand.
@Greenturf, it’s strange you guys think what you like is what other people do like. I personally and please understand that, I personally never considered Saka as a player to bang about inviting to SE. Just my opinion. And you saying I miss him is like forcing some food I don’t like down my throat simply because you like the food. Is that fair @ Greenturf.
Oga Dry..Oh..Drey. even the Coach said “we’re not surprised” meaning his heart is long gone from SAKA. So who are those pursuing him??
No @Unicorn it just Shows Rohr Inferior Mentality and Way of thinking that trickles down to everything he does concerning this team of late.
For him to say “We are not Surprised Saka chose England” Me being a Patriotic Nigerian Takes offence to that statement because, Rohr Is inadvertently trying to say England is bigger than Nigeria.
This Proves Rohr’s Mentality in Afcon 2019 every team he played he was saying Nigeria has no star this Nigeria Has no star that. even as far as saying Algeria and Egypt has more stars than us. Take Salah out of Egypt Who do they have???, Take Mahrez and Adam Odouns out of Algeria who do they have ??? No one yet Rohr will open his Mouth before a crucial game and Talk all sorts of Rubbish. The Fact Rohr Said he is not Surprised That Saka chose England should be an insult to any Super Eagle fan without a Mediocre mind like this Coach that calls himself Gernot Rohr
@ugo .. Have you heard of the name Saïd Benrahma ? Read about him and watch his video before making claim about the Algerian National team .
He’s the best player last season ( Championship ) and that is the same league that include EZE , OLISE , EjARIA and other Nigerian players .
Now my Question to you is simple ” ARE you surprised at SAKA decision ? ” Because he clearly declined the offer to watch the super eagles player and didn’t show any interest in playing for nigeria .
Hahahaaha…so it is aggression that wins you games abi…LMAO…give me a team with 11 aggressive players and another with 11 intelligent technical players and 9 out of 10 times, the technical ones will win.
Why our aggression for Africa never win us world cup since 1930….LMAO…even semi final we never read…? How many goals assist did Chukwueze have last season with all his aggression, what of Kalu, Onyekuru, Simon, Dennis, Musa and the rest…? Wetin their aggression give them…? Umar that had 17 goals and 17 assists last season, is he an aggressive player…? Infact how much aggressiveness do you even expect from an 18 yr old…? How much agression Messi get, how much agression ansu fati get, how much agression Xavi, Iniesta, De bryne, David silva and othrer intelligent players get. We dey talk brain and intelligence you dey talk gidigbo gidigbo…na UFC abi traditional wrestling football be….LMAO?
I know the next thing you will say now is that England is a weak league…LMAO.
@ Unicorn….really, are you seriously asking me who was pursuing saka…? I am sorry nor be me go answer that question….you nor dey asleep since last season wey Saka burst onto the scene, sotey we give am vip invitation to come watch SE vs serria leone. Even rohr said above ‘WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HIM PLAY FOR US’
Hahaha . @ Drey you no well. Lolz. Gidigbo gidigbo. @ Drey yes gidigbo. You no play 5 mins Igbo game?.lolz. Anyway Only one team wins the cup. But we and other African countries have used our aggression to humble supposed “football giants”. And where we can win a cup in Africa, if you don’t have aggression, forget it, you will be made a mince meat by the likes of Cameron, Senegal, Ghana and even now the North African teams are beginning to add that element to their game.
Shoo HAHHAHAHA!!! dis life no balance atol ooooo.. se @Dr Drey con begin dey converse wit himself as @Glory Na wa oooo .@CSN come and see confusion you people av caused wit una articles ooo. some people have taken identity as two people and are now conversing with dem self for sake of making point Kai!!!! wonders shall neva end ooooo.
@iwunze You think say na everybody be drug rehab escapee like you…? LMAO. You wey just dey rant about things wey be public knowledge since. Clearly many are your afflictions.
@ Drey haba, you can’t ask how much aggression Messi have now. Here is my point. It’s not about size thing but aggressiveness on the ball. You can’t easily knock Messi or Sterling off the ball irrespective of your size. These two players albeit they re small in Size, are surprisingly some of the most aggressive players ever, very very solid on the ball n on the ground.
Was it like that when messi and sterling were 18 year olds…? An 18 year old score 4 and assists 11 in 39 games from left back/ left midfield for Arsenal and you are talking of agressiveness and knocking-off the ball…Lolz. The people wey dey agressive how many goals and assist did they have….?
Why not wait for 7 years time when Saka is 25 yrs old and see if he will still be the small skinny kid you are seeing today.
Again, please Drey this is my opinion and I stick with it. And in reference to your using the girl friend analogy, its like a case of girl you just don’t have a pinch of attraction/ feelings for; most likely a slim shady, flat on all sides girl, never my spec, as I go with d heavy curvys aggressive movers lolz but probably yours, lolz; constantly bumping into your office, attempting to get your attention . Some other guys comes for her and some observers starts saying, you have lost out. How laughable that will be, when that is all you ever wished for her, that someone gets her off your back.
@ Drey absolutely in aggreement with you regarding he is still young, so reason, I personally see him as future prospect, which only rest on possibility but definitely not now. Then why feel a heartbreak for something that’s not 100% but only a chance and especially when such isn’t trusting you offering a chance.
“…..its like a case of girl you just don’t have a pinch of attraction/ feelings for; most likely a slim shady, flat on all sides girl, never my spec, as I go with d heavy curvys aggressive movers lolz but probably yours, lolz; constantly bumping into your office, attempting to get your attention…” THAT IS A FAT LIE….!!!!
Saka was not constantly bumping into NFF office and CSN seeking attention…he was ther jejely doing his thing, scoring and assisting up to 11 goals from LB and LM for a top club like Arsenal, something NONE of your own current SE did last season Your NFF president went all the way to meet and discuss with his parents and begging him to play for SE. Every one on CSN was crying for Rohr and NFF to invite him and cap him. If he was so useless why are all of you angry and insulting him and calling him names now all over social media….?
IF THE GIRL NO FINE WHY ALL OF UNA DEY PURSUE AM…?
Just admit it…18yr old Saka is good, young and inteligent, you all courted him seriously and wanted him to play for Nigeria…and you are all hurt by his decision not to. Finis and Klaar.
Hahaha. @ Drey, na myself I dey speak for na. I dey pray longtime, say make Saka choose England because supposing he choose nijja, Rohr will then be forced to play him,even when he clear say he dey struggle, which would have most likely be the case. Abeg my very respectable Drey, if man no like woman, let d man be biko. No come force d woman wey man no like be him wife na, haba. NA MYSELF I KNOW O, I NEVER FOR ONCE CALLED FOR SAKA INVITATION. IF EVER I WILL WANNA INVITE SAKA, NA FOR OUR AGE GRADE TEAMS POSSIBLY U-20/ U-23, TO SEE HOW HE GO COPE.
My friend, when last did England win the World cup, even with all their so-called World class players? Even, Messy is yet to win the World cup, despite the fact that he is the best player in the world. Saka is free to play for any country he chooses. Definitely, he alone can never win the world cup for England.
Even the SE gaffer, Gernot Rohr is sceptical about the possibility of Saka’s long career with England. Best of luck to me as he understands that there is no second chance again.
i meant best of luck to him
No that wasn’t the case rather he knew beforehand Saka will choose England over Nigeria.
I think Saka gave little away by his body language,so the gaffer knew ahead of time.
The super eagles have four goal keepers to pick from. I feel Tobias lawal might be the next big goalie for the Super eagles. He has the height, reach, agility and he is just 20 yrs old. They all look good, but im backing on Tobias to make the cut and steal the show.
Abeg Rohr Siddon dere. you wey no even show any effort in chasing the boy because he is not Franco German. Abeg no even try fool us.
For Gernot Rohr to say “We are not Surprised Saka chose England” Me being a Patriotic Nigerian Takes offence to that statement because, Rohr Is inadvertently trying to say England is bigger than Nigeria.
This Proves Rohr’s Mentality in Afcon 2019 every team he played he was saying Nigeria has no star this Nigeria Has no star that, Meanwhile he had the Best Dm in Europe in his squad and a future Most Expensive Nigerian Player Of all time in that squad not to talk of Chukwueze etc. and Onyekuru who was the Best Player in Turkey that season. he even went as far as saying at the time that Algeria and Egypt has more stars than us. make I ask una? if you Take Salah out of Egypt Who do they have???, Take Mahrez and Adam Odouns out of Algeria who do they have ??? No one, yet Rohr will open his Mouth before a crucial game and Talk all sorts of Rubbish discouraging our boys and sapping their confidence.
The Fact Rohr Said he is not Surprised That Saka chose England should be an insult to any Super Eagle fan without a Mediocre mind like this Coach that calls himself Gernot Rohr.
SO Rohr didn’t chase Saka Because he already feels that Saka is too good for Nigeria?????. Is he Kidding me did Rohr actually say this Rubbish or is this a Fake news?. If So Rohr na very Big foooool!!!!
@ugo .. Onyekuru is a one season wonder player at ( EUPEN ) and was never the best player in turkey in any season ( Kindly show proof to your claim that he’s the best player in turkey in any season ) .
A coach saying he’s not surprised is a simple English and statement because just like EZE , Saka never showed any interest in playing for Nigeria . Rather he honored the invite to play for the ENGLAND U21 ( Just like EZE )
Now my question to you would be , Are you surprised about Saka choosing England despite the fact that he choose not 2 honour the NFF invite to watch the super eagles team play and was busy telling the whole NFF he’s concentrating on his club football .
Are you surprised ?
Sometimes i wonder how human come to a negative conclusion about a simple and harmless statement .
Will you be surprised if Phillip Billing chose to play for Denmark ?
Now I’ve asked you too simple question . waiting for your answer
God bless Nigeria
Why Rohr No fly go England go meet am, like he Flew to to meet Akpoguma Heh!! tell me Na???. So na to invite am because say na Arsenal player Abi?? peson wey already dey Gareth Southgate radar by de time. Why didn’t he Fly and meet the boy to convince him face to face??????????????.
I am suprised oooo I am very Sprised guy. Make I ask you? Dat flight to watch Game you de blow horn about Na Saka go pay for am or abi na NFF or Rohr?? abeg free me Joor @Na Me talk am
@Ugo ….. Well you should ask Pinnick the question because he’s the person pictured with TAMMY , EZE , SAKA and give update about their switch to Nigeria . Which ends up being a failure as none of them is ready to switch to NIGERIA .
So you don’t have to blame Rohr for NFF or Pinnick Failures .
Rohr is not perfect but certainly he’s not to blame for decision made by NFF and Pinnick .
God bless Nigeria
Hahahaha…he wants the “dumb” Rohr to fly to England to convince Saka when a whole NFF president (Rohr’s employer) had already done so….LMAO. Some people really need serious rehabilitation. They wont read wide, get themselves informed and follow the trend of things…..they will just come to CSN and be rabble-rousing..LMAO
https://scorenigeria.com.ng/just-before-the-three-lions-prey-on-saka/
@ugo ….. Pinnick is to be blamed for SAKA , EZE and Tammy as he’s the person who choose to meet their families and talk about the swtich on every daily papers . You can’t blame the coach for NFF decision .
You don’t expect the coach to fly to ENGLAND after the NFF president already met with the player and their families / agent .
You don’t have to blame the coach for every tiny thing , sometimes you should learn to be honest with yourself .
the coach is not perfect no doubt and no human is perfect aswell likewise PINNICK .
God bless Nigeria
Mind games are allowed in football, Rohr seem to best at it in other to delate pressure from his team. Every good coach does that
“We are not Surprised Saka chose England” . I do not know the context you have given to this statement, but I will tell you what Rohr meant with that statement. He has told NFF and Pinnick in particular to always go recruitment discreetly and not on pages of newspapers and street of London. No country will just allow you to poach a talent nurtured within their system without a fight back. Did you see how Rohr went about recruiting Akpoguma. Are you aware that even Felix and Jordan are equally approved by FIFA to play for Nigeria, but for passport, you will be shocked when he will name them in our November games, samee with Michael OLISE of Reading. A Pinnick would have bungled the whole thing. Rohr has said once more, he doesn’t need an EZE in his team, as he doesn’t suit our present style of play
Rohr is a good coach, a very good one with great man management. ROHR fancies his chance of winning the next world cup in Qatar if we are given a favorable group and with luck our side
@ugo .. Onyekuru is a one season wonder player at ( EUPEN ) and was never the best player in turkey in any season ( Kindly show proof to your claim that he’s the best player in turkey in any season ) .
A coach saying he’s not surprised is a simple English and statement because just like EZE , Saka never showed any interest in playing for Nigeria . Rather he honored the invite to play for the ENGLAND U21 ( Just like EZE )
Now my question to you would be , Are you surprised about Saka choosing England despite the fact that he choose not 2 honour the NFF invite to watch the super eagles team play and was busy telling the whole NFF he’s concentrating on his club football .
Are you surprised ?
Sometimes i wonder how human come to a negative conclusion about a simple and harmless statement .
Will you be surprised if Phillip Billing chose to play for Denmark ?
Now I’ve asked you too simple question . waiting for your answer
God bless Nigeria
Very sorry,he got his family heart broken and not Nigerians.
Lost a golden opportunity that so many players are looking for.
England will dump him soon.
Rohr is right after all. It will be unfair to misconstrue his statements or to take them out of context. Would you be surprised if Joshua Zirkzee chooses the Netherlands ahead of Nigeria? Would you be surprised if Philip Billing chooses Denmark ahead of Nigeria? Would you also split your hairs if Dominic Solanke prefers England to Nigeria? Are you surprised Stefano Chuka Okaka elected to play for the Azzurris of Italy instead of the Super Eagles? I like Rohr’s commitment and professionalism. The problem with some us is that we want Rohr to think the way we think. But Europeans and other expatriates have different mentality. That’s why they make better team selections than most Nigerian coaches.In our clime ,”egunje” is the in-thing.Rohr is a good coach .Haters should leave the Franco-German alone! Bukaya Saka can play as a left back or winger. We have players who can play these positions in abundance in the present Super Eagles mix.
Left-Backs-Zaidu Sanusi,Jamilu Collins,Ola Aina,Ikouwen Udoh Utin,Bryan Idowu,Chima Okoroji,Calvin Bassey,Chima Akas,Kingsley Madu,Stanley Amuzie..
Wingers-Ahmed Musa,Chidera Ejuke,Samuel Kalu,Samuel Chukwueze,Moses Simon,Noah Sarenren- Bazee,Ademola Lookman,Viv Solomon- Otabor,Hilary Gong,Bright Osayi-Samuel,Nathan Tella,Henry Onyekuru,Iyayi Believe Atiemwen,Orji Okonkwo,Olabiran Blessing Muyiwa….
So ,what are we talking about? Good luck to Bukaya Saka in his chosen international career with the Three Lions of England.
Some times it beats my imagination how people reason atimes,I guess that’s why the devil was painted black because of our mentality,Rohr did this Rohr that,do u guys xpect Rohr to go and beg Saka to play for Nigeria? He is not surprise because he knew d countless effort de ve made to lure him to play for nigeria,he is not surprise cos England can’t lose Saka to Nigeria never,he is not surprise cos he is a German n understands how Britain play their politics,Ovie ejura,lookman,seyi ojo etc have all filed their papers for switch of allegiance for a while now but FIFA have not approved it but Kelvin sharp sharp that tells us how wicked n selfish England as a nation is but some of us here will just jump at every opportunity to critize Rohr if Rohr na ur papa u will advise him to go n beg 18 years old boy ABI?
Administrative bottlenecks,work permit palaver, stringent immigration laws,stinging criticism ,racism are always faced by black players in England. Even Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are not spared by some of the racial fans despite choosing to play for the national team of England.It took Ola Aina almost two years to complete the process of his switch of allegiance to Nigeria. The applications filed by Ovie Ejaria,Ademola Lookman,Chuba Akpom,Sheyi Ojo,Tosin Adarabioyo,Josh Onomah,Dominic Iorfa are awaiting FIFA’s approval due to delays by the English FA to complete their own parts of the paper work.Kevin Akpoguma,whom Nigeria has been scouting for over six(6) years now, just filed an application for a one time switch from Germany to Nigeria and within a week it was approved by FIFA. Even a blind man will notice the huge difference between both countries. Something tells me that Jordan Torunarigha, Felix Uduokhai,Felix Agu will make their Super Eagles debuts before Movie Ejaria,Ademola Lookman and Chuba Akpom who applied for a switch of allegiance before them. The loss of Bukayo Saka is no big deal. Right now,they are trying to make Tosin Adarabioyo to change his mind about playing for Nigeria.Do you think they have forgotten the loss of Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses to Nigeria?
You people are here blaming SAKA for choosing ENGLAND over nigeria, but when rohr invite other foreign borns to the SE u crucify him for turning his heads against your below below-average home base….
It shall not be well with you people except u people repent of this eveil act else the cup u measure for OGA ROHR and the level of criticism you pass on our own Blood “foreign borns” that decide to play for us would be measured plus “jara” to you….
Repent or you face this CURSE….
WE WANT THE BEST FOR THE SE…
I COME IN WAR though….