EAGLE’S FRIENDLIES: Salisu explains why Rohr didn’t invite NPFL stars

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, last week named a 25-man squad, consisting majorly of players plying their trade in Europe and excluding local talents of the Nigerian League, for the international friendly games against Senegal and Burkina Faso in London.

A development that has attracted a lot of criticism in some quarters, including reports that the German tactician ignored a suggested list of players handed to him by the League Management Company (LMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Ikechukwu Ezenwa, the Goalkeeper of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, was the only NPFL player that made the shorlist of invited professionals for the two friendlies, which are meant to prepare the National team for the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

However, the assistant coach of Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, has explained why outfield players from the Nigerian League were excluded from the two matches.

Yusuf claimed that the technical crew are keen on trying out some new players playing in Europe before handing an opportunity to some players plying their trade in the NPFL in subsequent games.

“The league (NPFL) has improved and there are more talents now and we are shortlisting players for the main team,” Yusuf stated in an interview shared on the Soundcloud page of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Read also: Rohr names squad for Senegal, B/Faso friendlies, drops Mikel, Ighalo

“In future games some players from the local league will have a chance. But for the games in London we want to try new players in Europe and see how they can blend with the established ones and also see how they fit into our philosophy ahead of the crucial games later in the year.”

Some of the new players the manager refers to, include Hannover 96 striker Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee, right-back Tyronne Ebuehi from ADO Den Haag, Uche Agbo, Chidoize Awaziem and Victor Osimhen.

And according to Super Eagles official Twitter handle, Coach Rohr is currently on a visit trip to see Joel Bazee at his second division side, Hannover 96, in Germany.

Speaking also about his preparation for the African Nations Championship in Kenya next year, Yusuf added: “So far I have seen quality wingers in the league and some good defensive midfielders who I think could break into the main team,”

“Sikiru Olatunbosun (the winner of CNN goal of the week honour) was part of the team that travelled to Spain with us on the La Liga Santander tour and he has improved.”

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