World Cup: Why I snubbed Dele Ajiboye — Rohr

By Daily Sports on March 13, 2018

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr believes that it was a ‘logical’ decision to leave Dele Ajiboye out of his latest Super Eagles squad despite his heroics during the African Nations Championship.

Goalkeeper remains a problem position for the national side following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama and Carl Ikeme’s leukaemia diagnosis.

However, despite demonstrating his quality with a heroic display during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 CHAN semi-final victory over Sudan, Ajiboye was overlooked for Nigeria’s squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Poland and Serbia.

“They had already their chance,” began Rohr [as per Goal] when asked about Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu’s non-inclusion in the latest Eagles squad. “Remember that we have invited Dele.

“Dele was second choice in the CHAN team, and it’d be surprising that he was No. 1 and [Ikechukwu] Ezenwa No. 2 in the Super Eagles.

“We must be logical in our choices.”

Plateau United’s Ajiboye came off the bench to replace injured captain Ezenwa early into the Eagles’ semi-final against the Falcons of Jeddiane, and ensured it was the West Africans who met Morocco in the final after a series of outstanding blocks.

Alampasu had been another contender to come into the team, but his inactivity looks likely to cost him a World Cup berth. The keeper hasn’t featured for Feirense this term, and hasn’t played a competitive match since April 2017.

“Alampasu, unfortunately, is never playing,” added Rohr. “You cannot take a goalkeeper who is never playing.”

With Ajiboye and Alampasu overlooked, Ezenwa appears favourite to start between the sticks at the World Cup, with Daniel Akpeyi and wonderkid Francis Uzoho his primary rivals.

“Uzoho made his debut for Nigeria against Argentina and did very well,” the coach continued. “He plays for the second team of [Deportivo] La Coruna; we could see him [at the World Cup].

“Ezenwa was injured but he is returning gradually and he’s played with the second team at his club already,” Rohr concluded. “We’ll see who will be the fittest.

“I think Uzoho, who did so well in the second half against Argentina, could add some more competition for us.”

Nigeria meet Poland in Warsaw on March 23 before meeting Serbia in London four days later.

The Super Eagles have been pitted against Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in their World Cup group. (KweséESPN)

•Photo shows out-of-favour goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 13, 2018


 

You may also like...
U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Brush Aside Burundi to...

Spanish Clubs Suffer 2 Billion Euro Losses

Super Eagles To Play Friendlies Against Côte d’Ivoire,...

Barcelona Contract Talks With Messi ‘Very Positive’

FIFA extends ban on Chris Giwa and four...

‘Encore bravo!’-Eto’o Congratulates Cameroon for battling through

 

Latest News Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash Boxers win big on final day Why my mum doesn’t watch my fights –Joshua FG dollar rain for Team Nigeria athletes Egypt, Nigeria lead as African Games end

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,382 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,392 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,541 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,213 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (41,998 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,876 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,757 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,215 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,265 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,175 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,625 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,204 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media