By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Nigerian ex-international footballer, George Finidi, has faulted Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, for the inclusion of the unattached Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, in his 24-man team for this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battles with the Benin Republic and Lesotho.
He also wondered why Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium), who has scored more than 24 goals in the current season was not included in the 24-man list.
Finidi, who spoke via Brila FM, said that he was not happy over how players were being selected by Rohr to play for Super Eagles.
The ex-international, who was rated as one of the best wingers in the world, lamented that during his time in the national team players were invited on current form in their clubs.
He said that since Musa (captain) was not attached to any club at present, no one could guarantee his fitness level.
Finidi also asked why Rohr did not call press conference to present the list contrary to how it’s done elsewhere.
He said that managers defend their choice of players for international assignments during press conferences, while wondering why it was not the same in Nigeria.
He appealed to Nigerian journalists to do more for Nigeria football.
On lack of quality ball crossers (wingers) in the current Super Eagles, Finidi blamed the coaches, while advising them to look inwards especially in the local league.
But another ex-international, Ike Shorunmu, has a different view on Musa’s invitation.
Shorunmu, who was Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper, said that the invitation to Musa did not guarantee playing time for him.
According to him, there could be another roles the manager would want him to do for the team as captain.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosa, Cyprus); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Sadiq Umar (Almeria FC, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Girondins Bordeaux, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Standby: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Michael Olise (Reading FC, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).