Super Eagles Coach Rohr To Nigerian Fans : Stop Criticizing Mikel, He'll Learn

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr  has dismissed criticism over the performance of Porto loanee Mikel Agu in the wake of his side's 1-0 win against Zambia in a World Cup qualifier this past weekend.

It was thought the German will tinker with his formation by moving Abdullahi Shehu to his natural central midfield position and Ola Aina will replace the Anorthosis Famagusta ace at right back as the Chelsea defender was told to warm up following the injury sustained by Eddy Onazi on the half-hour mark.

However, Mikel Agu got the nod from Rohr and his first contribution was getting himself booked after spending less than five minutes on the pitch, and the jittery midfielder misplaced some passes as the game progressed.

But Rohr defended Mikel in his post-match comments, saying : ''It’s not easy to come into such an important game for a young player''.

''Agu did his best and he’ll learn from the experience. This is not the time to criticize him; we should encourage him. He had a difficult game but he will learn''.

The 24-year-old Mikel Agu has collected four caps for the Super Eagles in the last four months, with three of those appearances off the bench.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel