Rohr gives three reasons Super Eagles captain Musa was handed game-time against Lesotho
Published: April 02, 2021Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has explained the rationale behind his decision to hand game-time to Ahmed Musa in his side's 3-0 rout of Lesotho in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday evening.
Musa being named in the 24-man squad list for last month's games generated controversy because he has been inactive at club level since October 2020 after mutually terminating his contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner made the matchday 23 against the Republic of Benin on March 27 because Alex Iwobi did not receive medical clearance to play the game and three days later three players failed a fitness test before the squad headed to the stadium.
Rohr revealed that Musa was eventually given minutes against the Crocodiles because the squad was short of numbers, he was in good physical condition and wanted him to put himself in the shop window ahead of a potential move in the summer.
"We are missing so many wingers, Kalu, Simon Moses, Iwobi in the first game and Musa not playing in the club but finally Musa could play because we had only 21 players and with Musa 22," Rohr explained.
"He could come in, he was there, he was fit. We made the physical tests, Musa is in good fitness, there was no reason not to allow him to come in, he's the captain of the team and he finished captain on the pitch.
"We also want to help him to find a good club now".
"He could come in, he was there, he was fit. We made the physical tests, Musa is in good fitness, there was no reason not to allow him to come in, he's the captain of the team and he finished captain on the pitch.
"We also want to help him to find a good club now".
If the friendly against Togo (June 1, 2017) which is not recognized by FIFA is included, Musa is now six games away from becoming Nigeria's most capped player in history.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- Akpom would like Ajax to appoint legendary Liverpool playmaker as coach amid talks with ex-Chelsea boss
- Arsenal eye PL record v Tottenham: Super Eagles star last player to score against table-toppers
- Chelsea switch attention to top Man Utd striker target as alternative to Napoli star Victor Osimhen
- Meet Onyeka Paloma Gamero: The Barcelona striker eligible for Super Falcons, USWNT and Spain
- 'Was amazing' - Former Celtic striker insists Balogun must keep his spot in Rangers backline
- Arthur Okonkwo's potential departure: United States youth teamer heading to Arsenal for training stint
- After Boniface, Napoli considering another Super Eagles striker as potential replacement for Osimhen
- Inter Milan join Arsenal and AC Milan in race to sign Bologna's Super Eagles-eligible striker
- Promising right-back Habeeb Ogunneye misses out on major Manchester United honour
- 'I don't know why he never plays' - Ponciroli blasts AC Milan coach over treatment of Chukwueze
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football