Rohr proves doubters right with latest Ighalo comments

Gernot Rohr the Super Eagles head coach will forever divide opinions amongst Nigeria football fans and stakeholders. While a few are on his side, there seems to be more people against the German tactician.

He eliminated ‘our usual calculations’, this those on his side said concerning qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup effortlessly, and qualifying Nigeria for AFCON in 2019 and 2021 with games to spare.

While the above mentioned statements are fact, those who argued against Gernot Rohr have complained about Eagles performances at those tournaments.

They said ‘Nigeria should have done better at the 2018 World Cup despite playing alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in the same group in Russia.’

A third place finish at the 2019 AFCON was considered a failure by many. arguing that we had a squad that could have won the title.

They also frowned at his inability to add players from the local league into the national team.

One more point they raise is: ‘we are not playing good football and Gernot Rohr seems unable to get the best out of the abundant talents in the Super Eagles.’

Sadly, the last point raised by Gernot Rohr’s critics may have been further supported by the German with his latest comments on the possible return of Odion Ighalo.

‘The answer is simple. The answer is when you look at the age of all the players that you speak about, they are all young, and also we need experience,’ Rohr told Elegbete TV in an interview.

“And if, for example, Odion Ighalo will play with us- I don’t know if it’s possible for the moment, but perhaps if he’s coming back, I think players like Osimhenn and even Kelechi Iheanacho could have a big help in the presence of Ighalo to learn, to progress to see his professionalism.

“He’s a great professional, a big example for everybody, and he’s also a great goal scorer. We are very young, especially in the attack, and it could be good to have some more experience with us, Rohr added.

Gernot Rohr is definitely open to the idea of the return of Odion Igahlo who currently play in the Saudi Arabia League with Al-Shabab.

But he could only find a space on the reserve for Paul Onuachu who has scored 29 League goals for his Belgian club Genk in his last invitations.

In fact, Gernot Rohr could not find a spot on his last 24-man squad for AFCON qualifiers games for Italy’s most inform striker, Simy Nwankwo who has scored 10 goals in his last 8 games and 17 goals in 32 league games in the Italian Serie A.

Paul Onuachu with 29 league goals is the top scorer in Belgium with the closest on 21. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (25), Romelu Lukaku (21) and Luis Muriel (18) have more goals than Simy in the Italian Serie A.

There is Sadiq Umar who is firing third-placed Almeria into the Spanish La Liga from La Liga 2 with his 16 goals.

Despite the feat of these players, Gernot Rohr is suggesting that he would be open to having Odion Ighalo in his team, his reasons, for leadership and mentoring.

He is doing himself a disservice with such comments as it further stressed the points raised by those who believe he lacks the technical knowhow to get the best out of the players.

It is time for Gernot Rohr to check the players at his disposal currently banging goals for their respective clubs rather than opening up spots for club less players or players who are not playing in a competitive leagues.

No serious coach would be looking to recall a player in Saudi Arabian league when he has the options of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Simy Nwankwo, Umar Sadiq, Terrem Moffi and Josh Maja to chose from.