Rohr Counting On Onazi, Echiejile & Balogun, Says Super Eagles Will Miss Mikel

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has admitted that the team always struggle to win matches anytime his captain Mikel is not available for selection.

The German's only defeat since his appointment as Nigeria coach was against South Africa last June and he could not count on the former Chelsea midfielder to carry the team as a result of injury in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mikel has been excused from tonight's clash at the Municipal Stadium in Wrocław because he is trying to renew his Chinese work permit.

''In the qualifications for the Russian World Cup (AFCON) only once we could not use the services of our captain and this one single match we lost. It was a meeting with South Africa,'' said Gernot Rohr.

''John Obi is our leader, this team needs characters like him and his absence is certainly noticeable, but it's a good opportunity for others to show off.

''We have the second, third and fourth captains. I hope that now they will take on the burden of the game.''

Trabzonspor midfielder Eddy Onazi has been made substantive captain of the Super Eagles for the friendly against Poland.

Igho Kingsley