Rohr explains omission of Liverpool old boy from Nigeria squad for World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has explained why Liverpool old boy Taiwo Awoniyi was omitted from the Super Eagles roster for their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Liberia and Cape Verde.

The German football tactician has selected ten players classed as strikers on his 29-man roster but Awoniyi has not been rewarded with a call-up despite his fine start to the season at new club Union Berlin.

The 2013 U17 World Cup winner has tallied five goals in all competitions this term, more than any other player in the Super Eagles squad.

Yemi Ogunseyin of Complete Sports is of the opinion that Awoniyi should have been been handed an invite to fill in for one of the British-based players for the second qualifier versus Cape Verde.

Rohr told reporters at Thursday's pre-match press conference monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com : "You are calling for Awoniyi, the other guys are calling for other players, we can only bring three center forwards.

"We have already Osimhen, we have Paul Onuachu, we have Moffi who is doing very well in Lorient, we even have Kelechi, we have four.

"Which one of them do you want me to bring out to put in Awoniyi?"

Rohr has confirmed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will be in the traveling party to Cape Verde as he is not based in the United Kingdom.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel