Gernot Rohr: Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi Key To Nigeria’s Victories Over Benin, Lesotho

Paul Onuachu, Victor Osimhen, and Oghenekaro Etebo were the goalscorers when the Super Eagles brushed aside the Squirrels and the Crocodiles last month, but the national team boss is crediting the Foxes’ midfield general

Nigeria rounded up their Afcon qualification campaign with convincing wins over the Benin Republic and Lesotho in March, with head coach Gernot Rohr singling out Wilfred Ndidi for special praise.

Ndidi has been one of Nigeria’s most valuable players in Europe. He confirmed his high ratings with two composed displays that powered the Super Eagles to clean sheets against the Squirrels and the Crocodiles.

The three-time African champions won none of the four games the Leicester City midfielder missed in 2020, including the disappointing 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, in November.

Rohr is pleased to have Ndidi back in the national fold after more than a year out, admitting that the team struggled in the midfield general’s absence.

“I am happy for Ndidi’s return,” Rohr told NationSports.

“He was in wonderful shape for our two games. He is a very important player for the Super Eagles.

“He has not been with us since November 2019, and without him, it was difficult to win a match.”

Regarded as one of the finest players in his position, Ndidi will be crucial to Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The 2013 continental kings are drawn alongside Cape Verde, Central African Republic, and Liberia in Group C of the second qualifying round of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to kick off their World Cup qualifying series with a home game versus Liberia before travelling to Cape Verde for their matchday two clash.

Only group winners will make it to the final qualifying round, a two-legged playoff tie- that will produce five nations that will represent the continent in the tournament in Qatar.