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The 31-year-old has reprimanded the performances of the Nigerian squad that suffered the loss to the Desert Foxes
Super Eagles international Chibuzor Okonkwo has urged national team coach Gernot Rohr to stop experimenting excessively with players after Nigeria’s 1-0 loss to Algeria in Friday’s international friendly.
Ramy Bensebaini’s goal in the sixth minute was enough for the African champions to beat the Super Eagles in Austria, and the full-back believes the German tactician must take some of the blame for the display.
“Rohr should stop experimenting with the players, even if there will be changes, it should be few, probably two or three,” Okonkwo said. objective. “If Algeria can play with its full team, why can’t we present our best?” [Riyad] Mahrez was there!
“All the Super Eagles players were abroad,” he added. “They are playing week after week for their teams, so there should be no excuses.
“The fact that [Victor] Osimhen and [Wilfred] Ndidi not being on the team is not an excuse for failure. “
The West Africans were left without some of their key players for the match due to injuries, club inactivity and Covid-19 restrictions, among other issues.
Ndidi of Leicester City, Joe Aribo of the Rangers, Oghenekaro Etebo of Galatasaray and Osimhen of Napoli did not participate in the game.
Super Eagles regular goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho were also out of the game.
Rohr gave Kevin Akpoguma, Sanusi Zaidu, Samson Tijani and Frank Onyeka their first international matches in the fight, though the fresh blood failed to produce a dynamic display.
“The players did not play well,” Okonkwo continued. “If you are called up for a national team assignment, you have to do your best.
“If for some reason you can’t perform, stay away from the team. People are not at all happy with the Super Eagles performances. “
Next, Nigeria will face Tunisia in an international friendly on Tuesday.
“Against Tunisia I want us to be more focused,” concluded Okonkwo, “and I know we will do better than the Algerian game.”
Nigeria’s friendlies are part of their preparation for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in November.
Okonkwo has nine appearances for the Super Eagles since making his international debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2010.
