Rohr Namechecks Four Players In Contention To Replace 'Important' Osimhen Vs Algeria

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has rued the absence of Victor Osimhen for his side's international friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, stating that the Napoli summer signing is an important player.

The former Lille and Wolfsburg striker was originally named to the roster but was barred from reporting for international duty because the Napoli players were ordered into quarantine following three positive COVID-19 cases.

Rohr namechecked Racing Genk duo Paul Onuachu and Cyriel Dessers, Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho and Al-Nassr's Ahmed Musa as the players capable of stepping into the shoes of Osimhen who has been involved in 67 percent of the goals scored by the Super Eagles post-AFCON.

Speaking at Thursday's pre-match press conference, Rohr told reporters : "The absence of Osimhen is of course very important because he is the goalscorer, the leader of the attack, he's doing well in the last games not only with us but with his new club but we miss him of course.

"That can happen also in competitions so we have to organise a replacement, we called Onuachu who is scoring at the moment a lot of goals for his club Racing Genk, we also have Dessers who is a new player for the first time, we also have Kelechi working hard in training sessions and there are other strikers like Musa and the wingers we have.

"We have to handle his absence, we regret but we cannot change it".

Nigeria are taking on North African giants Algeria and Tunisia in friendly matches in this window as part of their preparations for the resumption of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel