Super Eagles Fans Would Agree As Rohr Names The Defender With The Best Aerial Ability

Published: November 26, 2018

Gernot Rohr has suggested that Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo is the defender with the best aerial ability in the Super Eagles setup ahead of the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins and Abdullahi Shehu.

Players statistics are not easily obtainable in these parts, so the Super Eagles matches at the 2018 World Cup have been used for reference purpose and the international friendly vs England, as provided by OPTA.

Despite playing only the second half against the Three Lions, Omeruo won a team-high two headers, more than Leon Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Shehu and Idowu.

Against Iceland at the World Cup, the Super Eagles number 22 was the best defender in terms of aerial duels won, six in total ahead of Ekong (2), Balogun (1), Idowu (1) and Victor Moses (0).

Although Omeruo did not win any aerial duels vs Argentina, his aerial ability is one of the strong attributes of his game.

''We also have the left-footed Collins, Ogu and Kelechi. The left foot plays a highly technical football sometimes more than the right foot,'' said Rohr.

''What we need is a good cocktail from players with right foot, left foot, good headers like (Kenneth) Omeruo and the quickness of our wingers to bring our team forward.''

Omeruo won four aerial duels in CD Leganes 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on November 3, his best in the Spanish topflight this season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel