Super Eagles Coach Rohr : Why We Are Taking Young Players To The World Cup

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has explained why majority of the players he intends to name to his World Cup roster are classed as young players.

The Super Eagles are led by the seasoned Obi Mikel, and the likes of Abdullahi Shehu, William Troost-Ekong and Wilfred Ndidi are expected to fill the defensive positions, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho who scored crucial goals in qualifying are expected to be named in attack.

''We chose young players, we wanted to build a new team and I see now that we are the youngest squad of the World Cup. Nigeria already have a good team spirit with players, so the level is very high,'' said Rohr to FIFA World Cup Russia Magazine.

''To be better than them, it will not be easy for our young players.''

Tactically, the team is based on a good defense, energetic ball winners in the base of midfield with the calming presence of Mikel and a ruthless counter attack.

''The formation is 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Everybody could play the system and we only tried in friendlies other systems, tactically it was okay.

''We had a little problem at first to build a stable defense, but the defense is becoming solid,'' added the German coach.

Igho Kingsley