Nigeria is billed to play a couple of international friendly matches in Austria next month, and the German tactician believes it is an opportunity to test new players
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that he has extended first-time invitations to Chidera Ejuke, Samson Tijani, and Tobias Lawal ahead of the friendly games against Tunisia and Ivory Coast in October.
Nigeria, 29th on the latest FIFA World ranking, will face-off with the Elephants on the ninth of October before tackling the Carthage Eagles four days later.
CSKA Moscow forward Ejuke will be part of the Super Eagles for the first time after excelling at Valerenga and Heerenveen over the last two seasons.
The former youth international has also started brightly in Russia, scoring in the Moscow derby last week.
There will also be a chance for former Golden Eaglets skipper Samson Tijani to impress at the senior level. The young midfielder recently joined Austrian champions Salzburg on a long-term contract.
The surprise inclusion, though, is LASK goalkeeper Tobias Lawal. Rohr has relied on Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho, and Maduka Okoye in recent times.
However, it appears the former Bordeaux manager is convinced the Austria-based shot-stopper is still needed in the national team set-up.
“We have a test match, and it is the last opportunity before the qualifying matches in November,” Rohr told ESPN.
“So the result is not important, and we will see some new young players like Ejuke from Moscow, and Samson Tijani, the former under-17 captain, 18 years old and a very good player. And also the goalkeeper from LASK, Tobias Lawal.”
Nigeria has not played any match this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, taking to the pitch last in the 4-2 defeat of Lesotho last November.