'It Gives Us New Possibilities' - Super Eagles Coach Rohr Hails FIFA's New Five-Substitute Rule

Published: May 12, 2020

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has praised FIFA's new rule allowing a maximum of five substitutes per game for international matches until December 2021.

The International Football Association Board in conjunction with FIFA amended Law 3 temporarily to safeguard the health of players and prevent injuries due to the backlog of matches caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Rohr pointed out that the new rule will improve the solidarity in the team because he could hand game time to majority of the players invited to the Super Eagles unlike in the past when some watched the games from the stands.

In quotes carried by girondins4ever.com citing Europe 1, Rohr stated : "It gives us new possibilities to change during a match.

"We were already 18 in the national teams, there were more players on the sidelines than those who could come in, so there everyone is involved.

"This is important for the spirit of a group, rather than just three players who can play. "

The German continued : "The coach can also substitute much more tactically, but also to avoid injuries. We have a lot more possibilities, it's a very good measure.

"Maybe we will even keep it after if it gives satisfaction, we never know ... The Bundesliga will serve as a test ball to see how it works."

Nigeria's next competitive match - a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho - is tentatively scheduled to take place in September 2020.

Igho Kingsley

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