Mikel, Moses cannot win matches alone, says Rohr

Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr has argued that two of the most influential players in his squad, John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses cannot single-handedly decide the outcome of matches at the World Cup, saying they are not in the same category as Super Eagles stars of the 90s.

The Super Eagles’ Radisson Blu Hotel camp in Wroclaw has become a beehive of activities following the arrival of 22 players and the beginning of training sessions yesterday.


Technical and backroom staff, alongside six players opened the camp on Monday, but the facility exploded into life with the arrival of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Stephen Eze, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Joel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Uche Agbo and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Moses on Tuesday.

Nigeria –based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and South Africa –based Daniel Akpeyi are expected today.

Skipper Mikel John Obi is unlikely to make it to Wroclaw as he has been working hard at renewing his work permit in China, where he plays for Tianjin Teda, Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor told thenff.com yesterday.

The German coach admitted that the current squad is not as strong as the 90s team, who qualified for the second round of the World Cup twice in a row, defeated Spain and was close to eliminating Italy at USA ‘94.

“We do not have such great players as Kanu or Okocha, who then shone, but the strength of this team is the team work,’’ said Rohr to Przegląd Sportowy.

‘’Our captain Obi Mikel or Victor Moses are not the players who will decide the fate of the game themselves, like the stars from the 90s.’’

Victor Moses was Nigeria’s top scorer with three goals during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, followed by Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi with two goals each, and Rohr says he is concerned about the absence of a top finisher in the team ahead of the Mundial.

He said: ‘’We really do not have an effective striker, but we have other good players like – Iwobi, Kelechi, Obi Mikel, Ighalo – they are also able to score goals.’’

Meanwhile, Rohr has admitted that Eagles defenders cannot stop Bayern Munich goal machine, Robert Lewandowski from scoring when they face Poland on Friday.