Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will have no choice but to bring on his best technical and tactical abilities ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde as he could be without many key players, IKENWA NNABUOGOR reckons…
There is impending danger ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde as the Super Eagles could be without a dozen of players invited no thanks Covid-19 travel restrictions.
The invited players from England, Spain and Italy have had their league boards sound out that they would not release their players for the qualifiers as Cape Verde is red-listed by England as a danger zone for the ravaging Covid19 pandemic.
What this means is that these players will have to isolate for at least 10 days on their return to their clubs leading to them missing crucial games for their clubs.
Unfortunately, the affected players are some of the best Rohr counts on to fly to Qatar or incur the wrath of his employers, the NFF.
Losing that many key players will surely put Rohr on the edge as well as a huge challenge on his technical and tactical abilities as he now has to prove to his employers and the ever-critical fans that he can still get his job done without the “missing” players.
Nigeria is not on England’s Red List and can therefore welcome these players, but red-listed Cape Verde will certainly not welcome the England-based stars, meaning that these players will only play in Nigeria and not in Cape Verde.
However, it remains to be seen if their clubs will even release them for the Liberia clash in Lagos in September 3 in the first instance.
But will Nigeria afford to miss that many of their key players in Cape Verde as every point will count enroute to Qatar?
As it is, it appears these players may not make the trip to Lagos.
Crucially, where will it lead Rohr and Eagles should they fail to get results in the double qualifiers?
England lead the campaign of preventing their players from the Covid19 scare in the tiny Indian Ocean nation known for their growing foreign legion in colonial masters Portugal.
Central defender William Troost-Ekong at Watford is caught in this intriguing web of adding to Rohr’s selection headaches, while his pair across the border in Scotland may be available and will be needing a new partner.
Rohr is at liberty to go back to the tested, Kenneth Omeruo, who’s been playing regularly at second tier side, CD Leganes, in Spain or fast-rising Chidozie Awazie, who’s in commanding form at Portuguese side Boavista.
TSG Hoffenheim versatile defender Kevin Akpoguma, a favourite of Rohr, is another option to fill in for the seemingly unavailable Ekong.
Rohr may not have his head ringing in this department as capable legs abound to take over in event of any eventualities.
But the Eagles’ midfield isn’t enjoying such luxuries as it appears the worst hit of these restrictions with the holding midfield role manned by Leicester City ace Wilfred Ndidi and England returnee Oghenekaro Etebo lacking the much-needed replacements.
Even the possible replacement Frank Onyeka is also caught in the web as he’s currently enjoying his game in England.
Also, in the midfield is Everton star, Alex Iwobi, who seems to be fast stamping his presence in the Eagles team, but may be held back in England.
Rohr is certainly not smiling because recently the Eagles midfield is fast losing some gas as the departure of former captain John Obi Mikel seems to have diminished whatever was left of the remnants of grit and creativity following Victor Moses’ sudden exit.
Eagles midfield has always lacked numbers, sometimes even having strikers filling in and this indeed, is really bedevilling Rohr knowing full well how important the midfield is to a team.
So, technically Eagles will not only have Scotland-based midfielder, Joe Aribo and stop-gap replacements Innocent Bonke of Malmo FF, CSKA Moscow flying winger Chidera Ejuke, and irregular Italy-based midfielder, Kingsley Michael, going into the double qualifiers.
Out of the possible replacements, only Ejuke and Bonke have proved they could compete in their clubs, while they have yet to make impact with the Eagles.
Bonke, for one, is uncapped and the games of such magnitude, take a lot of confidence from players and it’s left to be seen if he will hold his own if given the chance.
But will debutting Bonke bring the much-needed confidence to lead the charge in Eagles’ midfield of a game of such level?
Rohr should be wrapping his head around this to find a way around it.
Cape Verde Islanders of recent have shown they could compete at a very high level judging from their performances in recent times and their retinue of Portuguese-born players brings extra energy to the team.
Not business as usual for the ever-improving Cape Verdeans and a bad result in Praia may not be good enough for Eagles.
On-form Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and SSC Napoli power striker Victor Osihmen’s impending absence will definitely leave a huge gap in the Eagles attacking line, but KRC Gent hitman Paul Onuachu will keep it alive and kicking.
Captain Ahmed Musa’s current form sounds lyrical to Rohr’s ears as he’s always expected to bring depth from either the flanks or in the deep behind Onuachu, while Samuel Kalu and Simon Moses will add some bite from the wings.
Terem Moffi provides another option as a back-up should Rohr look his way again, while Henry Onyekuru could still take up some responsibilities from the wings.
Eagles should nick these ties at least, but Rohr will have his doctors by his side should he fail to get good results at home and on the road because that will triple his many headaches.
Indeed, the times are tough and interesting for Baba Rohr.