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Soccer News of Thursday, 18 March 2021

Source: www.completesports.com

Akpoborie To Rohr: Invite home-based players for AFCON Qualifiers If...

Former Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie Former Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie

Former Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie has warned the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr to beef up the team with a few numbers of players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the eventuality that the invited foreign-based players are prevented by their clubs to play in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

Recall that on Wednesday, Nantes stopped Super Eagles winger, Simon Moses from honouring the game due to covid-19 travel bane.

And there have been reports that some key foreign base players in the team may be prevented also by their respective clubs.

Speaking with Completesports, Akpoborie urged Rohr to look inwards in order to avoid any fire brigade approach against Benin and Lesotho.

“This is not the time to start crying over players that may likely not feature in the game due to the Covid-19 travel ban imposed by some countries. However, this should give the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr the opportunity to invite some of the NPFL players should the foreign base players fail to honour the match.

“Mind you, don’t blame the players for their absence, blame the clubs in Europe because they don’t want to lose their players for two weeks under quarantine. And as you know, we are at the peak of the season, where every team will need their players for the remaining fixtures.

“I am optimistic that the NPFL players will make Nigeria proud if Rohr decides to extend an invitation to them. He should avoid any form of fire brigade approach if he wants the team to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.”