ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Former Super Eagles star performer, Chibuzor Okonkwo, has taken a swipe at Coach Gernot Rohr for the national team’s poor showing against Algeria in which Nigeria lost 0-1 in Friday’s international friendly game.
He blamed the German soccer tactician, saying the misadventure does not please many Nigerians and urged the Super Eagles’ coach to stop excessive experimenting with players, following the outcome of the match.
“Rohr must stop experimenting with players, even if there will be changes it should be few, probably two or three,” Okonkwo told reporters. “If Algeria can play their full squad, why can’t we present our best? Riyad Mahrez was there!
“All the Super Eagles players were foreign-based.” He added. “They are playing week in, week out for their teams. So, there should not be an excuse.
“The fact that Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi were not in the squad is not an excuse for failure.”
The Super Eagles were without some of their key players for the encounter due to injury, club inactivity and Covid-19 restrictions, among other issues.
Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Osimhen, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho were not involved in the game.
“If you are called upon for a national-team assignment, you have to give your best. If for any reason you won’t be able to perform, then stay away from the team. People are not happy with the Super Eagles performance at all.”
Next up for Nigeria, they will meet Tunisia in their second international friendly on Tuesday.
“Against Tunisia, I want us to be more focused,” Okonkwo said.
Nigeria’s friendlies are part of their preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in November.
Okonkwo has nine caps for the Super Eagles since he made his international debut against the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim center back, Kevin Akpoguma, who made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in a 1-0 loss to Algeria in an international friendly on Friday evening, revealed that the entire team did their best to pull a draw but to no avail.
Akpoguma came on in the 67th minute as a replacement for the impressive Tyronne Ebuehi, wearing the number 25 on the back of his jersey.
Speaking shortly after the game at the Wörthersee Stadium, Klagenfurt, Akpoguma provided an insight into his maiden appearance for the three-time African champions.He said, “I’m very impressed, very proud of it to be now part of the Nigeria team, looking forward to the next games.
“Of course, we lost today but we played against the African champions, one of the best teams in Africa and we tried our best to draw, the last two minutes we had good pressure.
“Like I said, it’s just a test game and I think the coach saw the things we can improve, and now we are looking forward to the next test game.
“The most important thing is to get qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.”
A former Germany U20 skipper, Akpoguma made a total of 62 appearances for Germany’s youth teams before applying for a change of association six years after he was first approached by the Nigeria Football Federation to switch his international allegiance from Germany to Nigeria.