Rohr: NPFL Cannot Produce Eagles’ Best For Now

Rohr: NPFL cannot produce Eagles’ best for now By Admin Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr has added his voice to the ongoing debate about the involvement of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the national team. The German tactician who was a guest on the Monday Night Football aired on Dstv, declared that Nigeria’s best players are based abroad and the lack of competition for the local players is largely responsible for their none invitation, although he left the door open for them. “Our best players are in Europe but (Ikechukwu) Ezenwa is with us, a local player and doing very well,” Rohr said. “I know he has to play much more. We are happy for the situation in the NFF, there is stability and continuity and we can work now with the officials we know and together to bring up Nigerian football to be the best in Africa.” [caption id="attachment_5869" align="alignnone" width="297"] Gernot Rohr[/caption] Junior Lokasa finished as topscorer with 18 goals and there were huge clamour for his inclusion but Rohr ignored those calls and stuck with an all foreign based attack. Rohr went on to explain why Junior Lokasa, who finished topscorer in the NPFL with 18 goals was snubbed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup for an all foreign based attack. “When we made our final meeting with the staffs to make our final 23 players for the World Cup. We were unanimous and there was no doubt that we should pick another player. Junior Lokasa is a good one. I think he tried also to go to Norway but they didn’t take him,” he added. “We will see him again in Wednesday’s game but the doors never closed for them (NPFL players) and we are always open to take the best one. We currently have very quick players like Samuel Kalu and Isaac Success who players for Watford, Victor Osimhen is coming up and scored two goals for Charleroi yesterday (Sunday) and Mikel Agu who is playing again. “The problem for the local players is that there are no league games for few months. So, it’s difficult for them.” Rohr is expected to be in Delta State on Wednesday to watch the Aiteo Cup final between Kano Pillars and Rangers with Lokosa in action. In August 2016, he was named manager of the Super Eagles of Nigeria by Amaju Pinnick, the chief of the Nigeria Football Federation. He won his first game in charge of the Nigerian national team, defeating Tanzania by a lone goal in Uyo, Nigeria. He lost his first match on 10 June as Nigerian senior coach after a 2–0 home loss to South Africa. On 7 October 2017, his Nigeria-led team became the first African side to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 1–0 win against Zambia.