Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr says his current Nigerian team lacks big players like Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Vincent Enyeama who made Nigeria favorite for AFCON titles in the past.
While the Franco-German was pointing the fact that no Nigerian player now plays in the top clubs in Europe, he quickly corrected the notion that his team are one of the favorites for summer African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
“Stay humble, please. Which of our players is playing in a big team? Which one is playing in UEFA Champions League? , he asked.
“I saw the teams on Tuesday and Wednesday last week in the Champions League and obviously I didn’t see anybody. We don’t have big players like we used to have before. Where is Okocha, where is Kanu, where is Enyeama and others.” Rohr told the media at Soccer Temple Agege last Sunday.
“Fortunately, we have Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze who are playing Europa League and other young players. We have young players who are the future but our strength is the team.”
Rohr later added that he’s optimistic that the team will make a big statement on the continent without the star players like previous generations.
“We know that we have a young team with good spirit but we don’t have the stars like we have before. I hope with time that will come back.”
“So I hope that with this our strength, we can go far in AFCON,” He concluded.
Nigeria are expected to round up its AFCON qualifier campaign in style when they host minors Seychelles, before taking on Egypt in an international friendly later this month.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
