'Much Better In The Air' - Rohr Reveals Why Akpoguma Got The Nod Over Aina, Ebuehi

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has explained the rationale behind his decision to include Hoffenheim star Kevin Akpoguma in the starting lineup during his side's 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone on Friday evening.

Predominantly a central defender, Akpoguma has slotted in at right-back or right wing-back in three of the eleven matches contested by Hoffenheim in the new season.

Rohr has insisted that the former Germany U20 skipper gave a good account of himself against Sierra Leone and he got the nod over natural right-backs Ola Aina and Tyronne Ebuehi because he has a better aerial presence than the Fulham and FC Twente defenders. 

"Kevin is also playing sometimes right-back in his club, I am in a good place to follow what he's doing in his club and he played a lot of games in the right back position so it's not a new one for him," Rohr told reporters, including allnigeriasoccer.com.

"We need him against these tall guys who like to play in the air, players who are good with the head.

"He's much better in the air compared to a defender like Ola Aina or Tyronne who have a little problem with the head so it was one of the reasons.

"I saw that Kevin Akpoguma was one of the best defenders yesterday, so I don't believe it was a problem for the team.

"The problem for the team were other mistakes, there were some individual mistakes - losing balls too easily, not being in position behind, not being on man-to-man exactly. We will analyze the game this afternoon."

Former Germany U20 skipper Akpoguma has lasted the distance in the last two games played by Nigeria, after making his senior debut off the bench against Algeria in October 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel