Rohr's Explanation For Dropping Onazi Might Not Convince Super Eagles Fans

Published: October 30, 2018

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has sensationally claimed that Trabzonspor midfielder Eddy Onazi was omitted from the roster for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa plus the friendly with Uganda because of concerns about his fitness.

It would be recalled that the holding midfielder withdrew from the squad that faced Libya earlier this month due to injury, only for him to return to Turkey and be given a clean bill of health.

The 25-year-old has figured for Trabzonspor in all their matches since returning to Turkey and was exceptional in the 1-1 draw with Antalyaspor last weekend.

''Onazi had a problem with injury. He left Uyo before the match against Libya [earlier this month],'' Rohr told Kwese ESPN.

"I have to be aware of the health of our players. We didn't want to do injections on Achilles tendons before the games."

Rohr named only three holding midfielders in the squad for the upcoming matches. They are Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu and Mikel Agu.

Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi was not called up after receiving a yellow card, his second in the AFCONQ, in the closing minutes of Nigeria's 3-2 win over Libya in Sfax.

Igho Kingsley