How I selected NPFL players for AFCON qualifiers – Rohr

SUPER Eagles heard coach Gernot Rohr has explained the process of deciding on which players from the Nigeria Professional Football League to call up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The German, for the first time in years, invited more than one player from the domestic league for important Super Eagles fixtures.

Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble was invited into the main 24-man squad Rohr first named, while Enyimba forward Anayo Iwuala and Abia Warriors defender Adekunle Adeleke were drafted in as replacements for Sadiq Umar and Kenneth Omeruo who were withdrawn by their Spanish clubs due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

“I was ready, we had done some scouting of the players,” Rohr told reporters in Lagos.

“I didn’t just pick them without due process. We knew we could have players pulling out.

“I spoke with a few coaches in Nigeria like Salisu Yusuf, Imama Amapakabo and Paul Aigbogun, and they were very helpful.

“I have been following the NPFL games on TV and I saw the CAF Confederation Cup game (Rivers United vs Enyimba) in Port Harcourt.

“It wasn’t my decision alone, the domestic coaches had input in the invitation of the three players.”

The Super Eagles face Benin Republic in Porto Novo on Saturday and host Lesotho in Lagos on Tuesday.