Ahmed Musa will not feature in Super Eagles double header - Gernot Rohr reveals

Technical Director of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr has defended his decision to include captain Ahmed Musa on the 24-man list to face Benin and Lesotho.

The 67-year-old German tactician released the names of players that will represent the country in the final two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but it was not without controversy

Responding to the criticisms, Rohr said Musa will not feature in both games and he has only invited to the team because he is the captain of the team.

Musa’s inclusion in the Super Eagles list that was released yesterday drew criticism and outrage. The former Leicester City striker has been without a club since he left Al-Nassr in October but was named in the 24-man list, Soccernet.ng reports.

The decision to name Musa in the squad ahead of Paul Onuachu, who is Nigeria’s best striker in Europe this season, did not sit well with Nigerians.

However, Rohr has now clarified that the ex-CSKA Moscow star was only invited in a non-playing capacity and won’t feature in any of the two matches.

“It’s important to clarify that Musa is not in the competitive list of 23 players for our game against Benin and Lesotho,” Rohr told BBC Sport Africa.

“We’ve invited Musa as the captain by making him the 24th player, but he is not as part of the 23 on the list that will play our two matches.

“What is important now is to focus on the games ahead and not to be distracted by anything else. We hope for all our prayers to be fit and travel down safely for the matches.”

The three-time African champions need just a point from their final two matches to seal qualification.