Why Rohr dropped Iheanacho from Super Eagles’ 2019 AFCON squad
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/06/why-rohr-dropped-iheanacho-from-super.html
Facts are beginning to emerge why Super Eagles Technical Adviser
Gernot Rohr dropped Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho from the
list of 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in
Egypt.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rohr on Sunday named
his final 23-man list to the 2019 AFCON leaving out Iheanacho and Semi
Ajayi.
Iheanacho, was said to be struggling for regular playing time at
English Premier League outfit Leicester City in the 2018/2019 season
which appeared to have affected his form.
He eventually failed to convince Rohr that he was worthy of a place in the final list.
Ajayi, who was a standout performer for Rotherham United in the
SkyBet Championship in England, could not displace more experienced
players to make the team to Egypt.
NAN also reports that the Super Eagles had played their final
friendly game ahead of the 2019 AFCON on Saturday against the Warriors
of Zimbabwe.
The match which was played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba ended goalless.
The 23 players and their officials left Asaba on Sunday for Egypt ahead of final lap of their preparations for the competition.
The three-times African champions will face the Teranga Lions of Senegal in their final friendly match on June 16.
The 2019 AFCON which is the 32nd edition of the competition is scheduled to hold in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.
The Super Eagles’ final squad list released by the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) has goalkeepers Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta,
Cyprus), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United) and Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer
Chiefs, South Africa)
There are also defenders Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy), Abdullahi
Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey)
and William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy).
The rest defenders are Leon Balogun (Brighton and Hove Albion,
England), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain) and Jamilu Collins (SC
Padeborn 07, Germany).
Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester
City, England), Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England) and John Ogu
(Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) are the midfielders.
The forwards include Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia), Victor
Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium), Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain)
and Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey).
The others are Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Alexander
Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France),
Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark) and Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal
FC, Spain).
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