AFCON 2019: Aghahowa sends strong message to Rohr over team selection

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AFCON 2019: Aghahowa sends strong message to Rohr over team selection

 

Former Nigeria striker, Julius Aghahowa, has advised head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, to maintain a consistent selection, as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend.

Aghahowa also urged the team to get their acts together in Egypt.

“As we head into this tournament, a lineup filled with a consistent selection from the coach will be an integral decision to posing a huge threat of winning the title.

“I know frequent changes would be made but fielding players who are familiar with playing each other would be key and will also give us the edge over any team in the African Cup of Nations,” Aghahowa told AOIfootball.

The former Wigan Athletic striker also gave a few thoughts on the Gernot Rohr’s final squad selection.

“I am happy with the final 23-man list made by the coach. He knows why he dropped others, and we must respect that.

“They were all good players but of course, some had to be dropped because you can’t go with everyone,” he concluded.

 

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AFCON 2019: Super Eagles arrive in Egypt, begin training for Senegal friendly

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AFCON 2019: Super Eagles arrive in Egypt, begin training for Senegal friendly

 

Coaches and players of the Nigerian national team landed in the Egyptian city of Ismailia on Sunday night, Sporting Life reports.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, who were dropped from the squad earlier in the day, were the only two absentees.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) allowed the Warriors of Zimbabwe with whom the Eagles played a 0-0 draw in a friendly on Saturday, flew together with the Nigerian contingent to Ismailia aboard a chartered MAX Air flight from Asaba.

The aircraft refueled at the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano before heading for Ismailia.

The three-time African champions are staying at the Hotel Mercure in Ismailia where they will spend one week before heading to Alexandria, venue of their Group B matches during the championship.

Before then, the Eagles will face Senegal’s Lions of Terranga in another warm-up clash on June 16.

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AFCON 2019: What will Iheanacho do after being dropped by Rohr?

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AFCON 2019: What will Iheanacho  do after being dropped by Rohr?

 

Kelechi Iheanacho will have a full pre-season with Leicester City, after he failed to make the final cut for Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, The Nation reports.

The 22-year-old is one of two players, left out by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, along with Rotherham’s Semi Ajayi.

Iheanacho’s club team-mate Wilfred Ndidi is in the squad and is expected to be a starter for Nigeria.

Although, Rohr praised the improvement in the striker’s professionalism, he chose not to take him along for the tournament.

Iheanacho will now focus on breaking into the Leicester side next season, under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

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AFCON 2019: Mikel Obi breaks silence on return to Super Eagles squad

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AFCON 2019: Mikel Obi breaks silence on return to Super Eagles squad

Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has said he is ready to lead the team again.

The free agent last played for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and has missed the team’s last seven matches.

However, Mikel Obi is in camp, ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this month.

Speaking to reporters at the team’s base in Asaba, the midfielder expressed his delight at being part of the squad again.

He said: “I’m really happy to be back in the team and I’m happy with the progress made so far. I fitted in seamlessly because it was not a problem for me as I have great understanding of the team and the coach very well.

“I needed rest because I was struggling with injuries but now I’m ready to lead the team again.

The best team will win the AFCON and we are up for it as we are training twice a day.”

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AFCON 2019: Rohr reveals Super Eagles’ players reaction to Mikel Obi’s return

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AFCON 2019: Rohr reveals Super Eagles’ players reaction to Mikel Obi’s return

 

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has claimed that the players were happy to have captain John Mikel Obi back in the squad.

Mikel Obi, who is currently without a club, has not featured for Nigeria since the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

However, the midfielder is in camp, ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations this month.

Describing Mikel Obi’s integration back into the team as “natural”, Rohr said “the players are happy to see him and he has been working very hard.”

Addressing reporters at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Tuesday evening, Rohr also expressed optimism that his players would do well at the 2019 AFCON, saying Nigerians can expect a fighting team.

“We have to be very fit because of high temperature in Egypt which is between 30 to 40 degrees centigrade and it will be difficult to recover. That is why we have to prepare very well.

“Our first match is against Burundi and we have to beat this team. We have in our group two teams who are newcomers because they have never been to the AFCON before.

“It is not going to be easy playing against them because they will have enthusiasm. Guinea also has a very good team.

“We have to come out of this group and try to be in the round of 16 and quarter finals. We have a lot of games to play and we are ready for that,” the German said.

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