NPFL: Excitement As Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr Plans To Watch GW 10 Clash In Lafia

The Franco-German tactician returned to the country recently as plans get in top gear for the national team’s engagements next month

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is expected in Lafia to watch the Nigeria game week ten encounter between Akwa United and Nasarawa United.

This has come as exciting news for the two teams with Rohr expected to release in the coming weeks, the 23-man squad list of players with which he plans to prosecute Nigeria’s two Afcon-qualifying matches in March.

The Super Eagles make the trip to take on the Squirrels of Benin Republic on March 22 before playing host to Lesotho seven days later.

Rohr did not invite any home-based star when the Super Eagles managed two disappointing draws against Sierra Leone in November, with the 2020-21 NPFL season not yet kicked off at the time.

The domestic league is witnessing one of its most exciting campaigns in recent memory, with Enyimba FC setting the pace at the top of the table.

Just one point separate sixth-placed Akwa United and eight-placed Nasarawa United ahead of their eagerly-anticipated clash at the Lafia City Township Stadium on Sunday.

The Promise Keepers are on a three-match winning streak, having defeated northern foes – Kano Pillars, Adamawa United, and Kaduna United – all within the past ten days.

Nasarawa United have, on the other hand, lost their last three consecutive games, but the Solid Miners would be gunning for a victory in front of the August visitor.

An excited Akwa United captain Utobong Effiong has revealed that Rohr’s presence will motivate the players to give their best on match day.

“We know the Super Eagles gaffer is coming to watch our game, and that’s not the main thing we are going there for,” Effiong told Brila.

“But we will not be pressured by his presence on that day rather, it will boost our morale and spur us for a maximum three points.”

Rohr has often faced criticisms for his penchant for relying heavily on foreign-based stars in international games.

One of the former Bordeaux manager players will be on the lookout for is Akwa United’s outstanding striker Ndifreke Effiong.

The 2015 Africa U23 Cup of Nations winner has been one of the standout performers in the NPFL, netting six goals in his last four matches for the Promise Keepers.