Super Eagles technical adviser Gernot Rohr has expressed his readiness to bring back former team captain Vincent Enyeama into the national team.
Enyeama announced his retirement from the Super Eagles last year after a bust up with former Eagles handler Sunday Oliseh.
But Rohr who said he has known the former Eagles captain during his sojourn in Africa told a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital that he had phoned Enyeama twice since taking over as the Super Eagles handler.
“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 Super Eagles are in Uyo for the 2017 AFCON qualifier against the national team of Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium on Saturday.
He maintained that he is favourably disposed towards giving all Nigerian players the opportunity to showcase themselves and bring football glory to the country adding that he would ensure good team ethics, organisation and discipline in the team.
He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the home based players at the last invitational tourney in Spain saying that he has already penciled down two of them for the Eagles.
The Super Eagles technical adviser who also reiterated his desire to live in the country however said that this would not preclude him monitoring the performance of Nigerian players within and outside the country.
“I am ready to live in Nigeria but they are yet to get a house for me yet,’’ he said.
On qualification for Russia 2018, Rohr said this would not be guaranteed but achievable with hard work and commitment from all stakeholders adding that despite the tough group Nigeria is in, the nation have enough quality players to qualify from the group.
Asked how prepared he is to bear the inconsistencies of the Nigerian Football Federation, he said 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.
On his part, Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, who was present at the press conference expressed sadness over Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the 2017 AFCON but 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 FC of Uyo 3-0 in a tune up friendly and would confront the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Saturday’s inconsequential AFCON qualifier at the Godawill Akpabio International Stadium.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
