Oyinlola Awonuga Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Former Nigerian midfielder, George Finidi has criticized and analysed the 24-man squad released by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Finidi in a recent interview with newsmen disclosed that the German tactician has undermined his position with the inclusion of Ahmed Musa in the squad ahead of players that are in the current form.
On the pretext that Musa, who last played competitive football in October 2020 was invited by Rohr for the crucial games against the Squirrels of Benin and Crocodile of Lesotho which shouldn’t be.
In his words: ‘We know that Musa has done a lot for Nigeria and on his day he is a good player, but at the moment he doesn’t have a club. What criteria was considered before he was invited.
‘I can still play football but I couldn’t compete against fit players. He’s (Musa) a good player, when he is in top form. But at the moment he has not played for 5 months and you can’t put him out there against fitter players in competitive situations.
‘We’re in a crucial time, if he had a club, he would be back because he is still the captain and perhaps still has age on his side. We have to speak the truth about this situation.’
The 24 MAN EAGLES SQUAD FOR LEONE STARS’ BATTLES ARE:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany)
Midfielders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France)
All invited players, as well as technical and administrative officials, are to report in the Delta State capital on Monday, 23rd March
