Rohr Gives Reason Why He Invited Uche, 20 Players Heading To Russia Known

Published: May 25, 2018

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has explained why Standard Liege midfielder Uche Agbo was named in Nigeria's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad despite not playing a single game during the qualifiers.

The likes of Obi Mikel, Eddy Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu are ahead of Uche in the pecking order of midfielders, which has limited his appearance to just one match for the national team, a friendly against Togo last June.

Uche was in form for Standard Liege this past season, playing forty matches in all competitions and scoring one goal.

"Uche Agbo didn't play in the qualifiers because we have many competition in that position. He is always with the team because he had a good season with his club Standard Liege,'' Rohr told reporters that attended Friday's press conference.

''We had to influence on the provisional list. We have at least two players per positions and we did the list together - me and my coaching team. I did not get a single interference from the NFF on the list.''

Rohr also revealed that he knows 87 percent of the players certain to make the Super Eagles final World Cup list.

''I have in my head, twenty out of the 23 players going to the World Cup. The other three, I have to watch them again and again,'' added the German football tactician.

Igho Kingsley