Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye has explained the rationale behind Gernot Rohr's decision to name Kano Pillars frontman Junior Lokosa in Nigeria's 30-man provisional World Cup roster.

With 18 goals in 20 matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League, Lokosa has drawn comparisons with Barcelona's Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, Real Madrid's Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and the current African Player of the Year, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

''Junior Lokosa was not difficult to explain, the numbers that this young lad has turned in this season is unbelievable,'' Toyin Ibitoye told Channels Television Sports Tonight's Austin Okon Akpan.

''The difficulty of playing domestic football and he's able to score 18 goals in 20 games, that of course would draw some attention.

''The way this guy is scoring goals, it is only in the leagues of the Messis, the Ronaldos and lately the Mo Salahs of this world.

''Coach Gernot Rohr has the tradition of calling up the outstanding players from the league, Stephen Eze, Dele Ajiboye and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.''

Lokosa will compete with Odion Ighalo, Simeon Nwankwo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa for the striking position when the training camp opens next week.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : kanopillars.com