Joe Apu
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr is still undecided on which of his three goalkeepers deserves to be the team’s first choice in goal.
This is against the backdrop of his statement that he would announce his first-choice goalkeeper for the 2018 World Cup next week, and explained why he resisted the temptation to invite experienced players to the team ahead of the tournament.
‘’We have been working hard in that position for a year. We had bad luck with the illness of Carl Ikeme [suffers from leukemia], but we have three good goalkeepers. The decision of who will be first choice will be taken last week,’’ said Rohr.
The Franco-German added: ‘’We must respect what those (older) players have done for the country and let them enjoy it. The plan is to prepare the team for the future.
‘’Nigeria has not played two African Nations Cups. It is important that the atmosphere of the team is calm, without problems, disputes or egos. Once a good environment has been created we need to continue along that same line. ‘’
With an average age of 25.9 years, the Super Eagles have the youngest team at the 2018 World Cup, with only six players Kenneth Omeruo, Victor
Moses, Elderson Echiejile, Ahmed Musa, Obi Mikel and Eddy Onazi having more than 30 caps to their names.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles players have wished their stricken goalkeeper Carl Ikeme a happy birthday while wishing for his quick recovery from leukaemia.
Ikeme clocked 32 yesterday, just days before the Super Eagles began their World Cup campaign, which he would have been part of if not for the leukaemia diagnosis.
Ikeme replaced the retired Vincent Enyeama as Super Eagles first choice under Sunday Oliseh.
He made his international debut for Nigeria on 5 September 2015 against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game.