More fodder for Rohr

It is evident the Super Eagles are going through a transitional period. A period that has seen a new coach take the reigns and new players coming into the team.

Failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations meant the three-time African champions had to start a rebuilding process.

Gernot Rohr, the man saddled with qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 FIFA World Cup has quietly gone about his business of rejuvenating the squad and the results have been impressive so far.

A 1-0 win over Tanzania in a dead rubber 2017 AFCON qualifier was followed up by an impressive 2-1 away win in Zambia against the Chipolopolo.

He topped that up by another win, this time, a 3-1 victory in Uyo against Algeria on Match Day Two of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to go top of Group B of the qualifiers with maximum points.

A 1-1 draw against Senegal in an international friendly last month meant Rohr has not lost in his first four matches with the Eagles. The signs are propitious but there is still a lot of work to be done.

The recent ‘get-together’ in London has given a peek into Rohr’s crystal ball as to where and how he intends to go about his business with the team.

A few players were called up to train with the squad after the Burkina Faso no-show with the Franco-German coach not hiding his desire to add more young players to the squad, players, he says, that can add quality to the team and bring something different.

The likes of Chelsea’s Ola Aina, Ebere Eze of Queens Park Rangers and Chuba Akpom of Arsenal all trained with the team and it’s a matter of time before we see some of them in the Super Eagles.

With Rohr’s intent on adding new blood to his squad for the African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, supersport.com looks at players who can add that little extra to the Super Eagles as they target qualification on two fronts.

Henry Onyekuru

Age: 19

Club: KAS Eupen (Belgium)

Definitely one of the revelations of the 2016/17 Belgian Jupiler Liga season. Now at Eupen via the Aspire Academy in Qatar, he has finally blossomed and shown what he can do.

Onyekuru has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season despite missing a few games trying to force a move in the January window.

He is fast, skilful and always looking to go directly at defenders. His low centre of gravity means he is hard to knock off the ball and he has a keen eye for goal.

The vultures are already circling and it will be a matter of time before he heads out of Belgium with Celtic of Scotland prepared to splash the cash on the youngster.

Onyekuru has not been capped by Nigeria at any level.

Anderson Esiti

Age: 22

Club: KAA Gent (Belgium)

Arguably the best Nigerian defensive midfielder in Europe this term alongside John Ogu of Hapoel Beer Sheva. After a slow start to the season, the 22-year-old has been an integral part of the Gent side this season.

He was immense in the Europa League two-legged victory over Tottenham Hotspur and his continued in the same way in the Jupiler Liga play-off.

Esiti is big, strong and physically imposing. He reads the game well, breaking down moves and starting Gent’s offense from the back.

He seems to have improved his discipline on the pitch which shows how much he has matured over the season.

Esiti last played for Nigeria in the 2-0 win over Chad in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. Surely a recall from Rohr is on the horizon.

Vincent Enyeama

Age: 34

Club: OSC Lille (France)

This might be an unpopular choice considering the circumstance that led to the international retirement of the veteran goalkeeper but it will do the team a lot of good if Enyeama is convinced to come back into the fold.

With Carl Ikeme injured and no assurances as regards his fitness for the qualifiers in June and August, Enyeama making a comeback won’t a bad idea, it might just be ringing in Rohr’s head.

The NFF has already stated that the former Enyimba goalkeeper is always welcome to return to the team and reports suggest Rohr is favourably disposed to Enyeama’s return.

Still the first choice at Lille and like the proverbial wine, he’s getting better with age. With qualification facing the Super Eagles on two fronts, Enyeama will definitely add more to the squad as his experience and leadership qualities will be needed.

Anthony Nwakaeme

Age: 28

Club: Hapoel Beer Sheva

Aptly describe as a one man riot squad, Nwakaeme has gone under the radar of Super Eagles selectors in the past, but his time might just come soon.

Nwakaeme is built like a tank, his physically imposing frame makes it difficult for defenders to get the ball off him.

He’s been one of the top performers for Beer Sheva in the last two seasons and was also a part of their Europa League run that ended at the hands of Turkish side Besiktas.

The 28-year-old has some impressive technical skills for a man his size which he uses to his advantage against opposing defenders. For Rohr, Nwakaeme will serve as an option if he needs to go direct at opponents with a target man that can hold up the ball and bring others into play.

With 11 goals and six assists this term, he is the top scorer for his Israeli side who are looking to retain their Ligat HA’al title.

Nwakaeme has not been capped by Nigeria at any level and at 28, this might be his last chance salon.