Rohr namechecks three players he loves in Super Eagles squad, picks his favourite to win African POTY
Published: November 13, 2024
Ahead of his team's matchday five fixture in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Benin Cheetahs manager Gernot Rohr highlighted Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon as players he admires within the Nigeria squad.
The former Bayern Munich defender was in the Super Eagles dugout for five years before his acrimonious departure as coach of the national team in December 2021, a month before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr is familiar with the players in the Nigeria squad, having handed debuts to the likes of Victor Osimhen, Frank Onyeka, Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina and Samuel Chukwueze, who are presently with the national team in Abidjan.
Although the Franco-German coach did not work with Ademola Lookman, he included the Atalanta star in his provisional squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations before he was shown the exit door.
Rohr reckons Lookman is the best African player at the moment and is backing the Super Eagles winger to win the African Footballer of the Year award ahead of contenders such as William Troost-Ekong, Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba, Côte d'Ivoire's Simon Adingra and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.
The 71-year-old saw firsthand how dangerous Lookman can be when he played against the Cheetahs in September 2024, inspiring the Super Eagles to a 3-0 win with a brace.
“We see that in your (Nigeria) list you have Victor Osimhen, Lookman, Moses Simon and all the big strikers but I love these players because most of them were with me few years ago," Rohr told The Nation newspaper.
"For me, Lookman is the best one in Africa to win the golden award for the footballer of the year, he is a fantastic player.
"But I hope he will not score against us (on Thursday) like he did in the last game in Uyo."
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture against Nigeria, Rohr acknowledged that the Super Eagles are all but qualified for the Afcon in Morocco, with two games to spare.
"Rwanda is our concurrent, Nigeria has already qualified practically and so I hope that the match will be good and spectacular (to watch) like the last one here in Abidjan against Nigeria in June."
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'His two goals were incredible' – Tosin hails Chelsea's new signing ahead of CWC showpiece v PSG
- Motherwell confirm signing of Ibrahim Said, reveal he was once courted by Liverpool and Man City
- Golden Eaglets hat-trick hero at 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup joins Motherwell, subject to medical
- Genk set N45b asking price for Super Eagles forward amid AC Milan, Fulham and Burnley links
- Done deal: Wycombe Wanderers snap up Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace alum Olabiyi
- Nichols, Harriman-Annous in Arsenal squad for La Manga training camp; Nwaneri missing
- Nigerian central midfielder joins Real Sociedad after release by Arsenal
- Post-match presser: What Super Falcons coach said on first half struggles, subs, Botswana, rotation
- Wafcon 2024: What Super Falcons attackers Ajibade and Ihezuo said about beating Botswana
- 'This is why' – Fabrizio Romano explains why Man Utd are not in the race to sign Osimhen


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- keo nha cai
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88