Rohr wants Enyeama back to Eagles

Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has said he wants to bring back former team captain, Vincent Enyeama to the team. Rohr bared his mind on the issue on Thursday in Uyo as the Eagles prepare to take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Saturday in an African Nations Cup qualifying match. The result of the game will not count as both teams have been eliminated from the 2017 race.

Enyeama had a year ago, retired controversially from the national team after a heated public disagreement with former Eagles handler, Sunday Oliseh.

Rohr, who said he had known the former Enyeama in the course of his stay in Africa, said he had contacted Enyeama twice since assuming office as Eagles coach.

“I have personally called him and I think we will need him after this weekend’s match. I am working to have all our players available for subsequent matches,” he said.

The German said he was favourably disposed at giving all Nigerian players the opportunity to feature for the team and bring football glory to the country. He added that he would ensure good team ethics, organisation and discipline in the team.

He told reporters that he was satisfied with the performance of the local players at the last invitational tourney in Spain, adding that he had already noted two of them for the Eagles.

The German who also reiterated his desire to live in the country, however, said that this would not disturb him from effectively monitoring the performance of Nigerian players within and outside the country.

He said, “I am ready to live in Nigeria but they are yet to get a house for me yet.”

On qualification for Russia 2018, Rohr insisted that a ticket could not be guaranteed but the task of qualifying was achievable with hard work and commitment from all stakeholders. He submitted that despite the tough group Nigeria is in, the country has enough quality to qualify from the group.

When asked how prepared he was to bear the inconsistencies of the NFF, he said that he had worked in more difficult conditions but expressed satisfaction with the commitment and honesty so far demonstrated by the leadership of the football house.

Current Eagles captain Mikel Obi expressed sadness over Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the 2017 AFCON. He absolved the players and called on all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to see Nigeria qualify for the next World Cup.

“All of us need to share in the blame of our non-qualification and not only the players but we have resolved to put that behind us and work towards getting our preparations right to be in Russia,” he said.

The Super Eagles defeated Akwa United of Uyo 3-0 in Wednesday tune up friendly.