AFTERMATH OF ATLETICO FRIENDLY: ‘NFF will not impose players on Rohr’

Following calls by fans to hand World Cup invitation to certain players that featured in the GoTv Max Cup against Atletico Madrid, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reiterated its resolve to not impose players on coach Gernot Rohr.

The Super Eagles team B, led by coach Yusuf Salisu, were edged 3-2 by the La Liga giants in the friendly that took place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo last Tuesday.

The recently crowned Europa League champions were given a good fight by the Nigerian side, with an 85th-minute goal in the visitors’ favour deciding the winner.

With the brilliant performance from players like Kelechi Nwakali and Usman Mohammed, Nigeria supporters took to social media calling for the inclusion of the youngsters in the squad that will represent the country at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

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But concerning the matter, the Chairman of NFF Technical and Development committee Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has stated that Rohr has the final say.

As quoted by Complete Sports, Fresh said: “It is not our style to interfere in the selection and invitation of players, whoever to coach wants he gets.

“We won’t force any player on the coach. We don’t do that and we won’t start it now. If he feels he needs more players, we will oblige him.

“We saw some players who excelled against Atletico Madrid and the coach also saw them. I don’t know whether he was impressed as to want to invite them. If he wants of the boys, he will notify us but we won’t force him to include any player.”

Meanwhile, Rohr has already released a 30-man provisional World Cup list, which is expected to be trimmed to a 23-man list before the team jets out for the global showpiece next month.

The Super Eagles are currently camping in Uyo, preparing for an international friendly against the Democratic Republic of Congo billed for May 28 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The team is billed to also play England in Wembley on June 2 and then Czech Republic on June 6 in Austria, before jetting out to represent the country in the World Cup finals in Russia.

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