Rohr rues absence of Arsenal & Chelsea products, Rangers, Leicester, Watford stars, 2 others

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has rued the unavailability of approximately one-third of the players named in his final squad list for the 2022 World Cup qualifying match with Cape Verde.

It has come to light that Venezia fullback Tyronne Ebuehi and Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu risk missing the game after they returned false positive Covid-19 test results in Lagos.

Hale End Academy product Alex Iwobi and former Chelsea fullback Ola Aina are not in contention to feature as they have both returned to their respective clubs and the same applies to Leicester City duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, Watford pair Oghenekaro Etebo and William Troost-Ekong, Rangers' stars Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo.

As everyone is aware, the United Kingdom-based players were barred from traveling to Cape Verde because it is a red-listed country.

Asked for his comments on the players' reaction to training, Rohr told reporters this evening : "Like you know, ten players are not here, there are only 19 because we had these problems with UK players but also family or Covid problems. It is a challenge, we want to win this game.

"With this team I trust in these boys who will play perhaps for the first time with the Super Eagles but if they are here they deserve (it), they are good.

"We'll see what can happen in this match because you know that Cape Verde also have to win it, they could draw only in the first match. We will see.

"We are ready for this match, it was difficult traveling in the night. I missed a little bit the physical presence from some players because they are still a bit tired but after a good night I think they will be ready tomorrow."

Nigeria top Group C of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers with three points, level on points with Liberia, who beat Central African Republic 1-0 on Monday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel