Former International, Felix Owolabi, has advised those questioning Coach Gernot Rohr’s 30-man provisional squad list, to allow him to do his work, as the team intensifies preparations for the World Cup in Russia
Among names conspicuously missing in the list is Al Ahly of Egypt striker, Junior Ajayi. Ajayi was the only Nigerian named in the CAF Africa’s best 11.However, many believe that Ajayi was not given enough opportunity to prove his worth before the list was announced.
“In as much as everybody seems to know football, it is not everyone that understands the game from the coach’s perspective. It is the coach’s prerogative to decide on the players that he wants in his team, and the formation he intends to put in place at the World Cup.
“Before he can conclude his list, he must have exhausted every avenue. It is not individual players that he is looking at, rather the combined efforts of all the players,” he said.
The former then Green Eagles’ winger, who described the number of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the list as abysmal, said it is a reflection of the poor quality of the nation’s league.
“In our local league for example, Rohr could not pick more than three players, this does not speak well of our league. It means that there is something wrong with our league.
“Also, if a coach thinks that the best a player has to offer is not good enough for his plans, that should not give us sleepless night. What is important is that he has got 30 players to choose from, and he is going to take the best 23 out of them.
“For me, those on the list are the ones Rohr thinks can prosecute the World Cup for the country. It is now the responsibility of the picked players to prove their worth. A good coach who wants result will never drop his best legs,” he said.
(GUARDIAN)
