'Somebody Can Play No. 6' - Rohr Reveals Midfield Roles For Semi Ajayi, Awaziem Is A Possibility

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr will not be able to count on the services of the top three players in his pecking order of defensive midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Oghenekaro Etebo for the international friendly with Algeria due to injuries.

Of the three players classed as midfielders now with the team, only one, Mikel Agu has played for the Super Eagles in the past but his last appearance was about two years ago.

Rohr has suggested that Porto loanee Chidozie Awaziem and West Brom's Semi Ajayi could be drafted into the defensive midfield position to compensate for the absence of Ndidi, Aribo and Etebo.

While Awaziem was originally a central midfielder before he was converted to a center back by the Porto coaches, the versatile Ajayi was utilised in the number 6 role on countless occasions during his Rotherham days.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rohr said : "The absence of our three defensive midfielders - great players - we miss Ndidi, we miss Aribo, two of the best players in the last game, even scoring goals, one left foot, right foot, fast, strong, everything was okay, and also Etebo, missing in the last moment so we miss three.

"We invited Frank Onyeka from Midtjylland, you'll discover him tomorrow in the game, we invited also this young player Samson Tijani who is normally in Red Bull Salzburg but loaned to TSV Hartberg, also a very good player, young, 18 only and doing very well in the training sessions.

"Then we still have Mikel Agu coming back, playing all the games with Vitória Guimarães, he deserves also to come back so we have some players.

"We also have the possibility to play with one of our central defenders, Awaziem or another one Ajayi, somebody can play number 6.

"We have different possibilities, it will not be the same with Ndidi, Aribo, Etebo or Alex but it's an opportunity to test new organizations."

Nigeria will do battle with African champions Algeria at the Wörthersee Stadium, Klagenfurt on Friday evening, starting from 1930 hours.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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