Super Eagles Head Coach Genort Rohr has been criticized heavily for his calling of defender Adeleye Aniyikaye into the Nigerian national team. The German tactician announced the defender in his 24 man list that will feature in the crunch game against South Africa in Johannesburg, as well as the friendly game against Uganda, and this is said to have infuriated the media.
Ex-internationals Friday Ekpo, Adegoke Adelabu and Segun Oguns said the coach should have gone for a home-based player who had been active rather than the out of action defender.
Aniyikaye despite being a member of the Team B of the Nigeria national team, has not featured in a clubside football game since 5 months ago. His last action for Ifeanyi Ubah was on matchday 23 against Kwara united.
Enyimba FC defeinsive duos despite making it the semi-finals of the CAF confederation cup were snubbed for the former Prime defender, and this is believe to attracted huge criticism from the media.
Ekpo said, “The best criterion for inviting players to the national team anywhere in the world is their current form. The coach made a mistake in inviting such a player because it will amount to a waste of chance for the others who are active and also in good form.”
Adelabu believes that the player’s invitation would dampen the spirits of the others who have done well but were overlooked by the coach.
“As much as we want the home-based players in the Eagles, they should be invited based on their current form. There are players who are active and can challenge the overseas-based ones for starting places in the team – these should be the ones to be invited,” he stated. “Rohr is a coach who doesn’t have a team he trains – so he is not largely to blame. Rather his assistants and scouts, who advise him on the players, should be the ones to educate him on the current form and the last time players were active in their clubs.”
And former Eagles goalkeeper Oguns believes the coach erred in his decision.
“The Super Eagles were once known for their enterprising playing style and flair but this has fast disappeared because the right players have not been invited. Players should be invited on their form and not otherwise.”