2018 World Cup Qualifiers: Door Not Closed On NPFL Stars – Rohr

By Augustine Akhilomen

Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has assured players of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) that the doors have not been closed on them as far as invitation to the senior national team is concern.

The German tactician was a special guest at the Agege Stadium, Lagos where he watched Stephen Odey’s of Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) thrashed El Kanemi Warriors 3-0 on Sunday.

It will be recalled that Rohr had promised to watch Odey, who is the leading top scorer of the NPFL with 13 goals play on Sunday as part of his move to motivate the domestic players.

Having been criticised for the non-inclusion of the NPFL stars in his World Cup qualifying campaigns, where the Super Eagles are top of group B with six points after beating Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1, the former Gabon gaffer told Soccernet.com.ng at the Agege Stadium after the match that the home based players must work hard to cement a place in his team.

“I must confess to you that there are great talents in the Nigeria Professional Football League going by what I saw here today. Both Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) and El Kanemi gave a good fight and played quality football. At least a few players impressed me so much of which I won’t mention their names,” Rohr told Soccernet.com.ng

“At some point I will invite the NPFL players to the team, however, my intention of sticking with the foreign professional was basically because I know majority of them and I want the best of players that will guarantee us the sole ticket for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. I don’t want to jeopardize our chances of qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.