'Aribo Is One Of Our Key Players' - Nigeria Manager Rohr To Make Late Decision On Rangers Star

Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr will make a late decision on whether to include Joe Aribo in his starting line-up for Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin in Uyo.

Aribo reported for international duty on Tuesday morning after a long trip from the United Kingdom and Rohr has suggested that it will be difficult for the Glasgow Rangers midfielder to make his full competitive international debut as he could be suffering from tiredness.

Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Rohr told reporters including allnigeriasoccer.com : ''Aribo traveled all night long from London to Lagos to Abuja and then arriving now, I have not even seen him yet. It will be very difficult for him to start the game.

''I want to see in the training session how he is physically, our training session is late at 6pm to give them opportunity to sleep this afternoon.''

London-born Aribo has emerged as one of the influential players in the Super Eagles team after the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring in back-to-back matches against Ukraine and Brazil.

''If Aribo is fit, of course now he is one of our key players, if he is not fit I don't want to take any risk for injury and we will decide in the last moment tomorrow if he can start the game or not

''We see that he's doing well in his club, even in the Europa League but this is a special situation now and we have to manage it,'' Rohr added.
 

Should he step out onto the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium turf against the Squirrels, even for one second, the former Charlton Athletic star will become cap-tied to Nigeria for life.

Igho Kingsley