Nigeria vs Algeria: Rohr defends invitation of new Super Eagles stars

Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr insists he’s happy that players born abroad are now interested in playing for Nigeria, but noted they will only be selected on merit.

The Franco-German tactician made this known during  a news conference ahead of today’s international friendly meeting with African champions in Austria.

ALGERIA, TUNISIA FRIENDLIES WILL MAKE US STRONGER- GERNOT ROHR | SUPER E… https://t.co/SyYLoQbcAt via @YouTube #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #NGAALG #NGATUN

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) October 8, 2020

At the last count, the likes of Cyriel Dessers, Kingsley Ehizibue, and Kevin Akpoguma are some high profile players who have joined the Super Eagles, despite playing for their respective European country at the youth level.

“We are only mindful of the quality of players in building the team, not where they were born,” Rohr told the media on Thursday.

Rohr also maintained that the boys are Nigerians and are proud to wear the green and white colors, irrespective of their country of birth.

“It’s isn’t good to say because players are born abroad, they ain’t Nigerians.

“The players we have want to play for us, the motivation is there. White/black it doesn’t matter.”

The former Gabon boss concluded by urging the people to embrace them and not to make them feel like a stranger in their fatherland.

Friendlies: Super Eagles ready for big games https://t.co/cg2y2kMPDV pic.twitter.com/lTiXMAwvvI

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) October 8, 2020

Read Also: UCL: Odion Ighalo makes Man United 25-man squad

“It is not good to talk about their color or where they are born. They are Nigerians and want to play for Nigeria.

“This is what some of these boys don’t like as well. They are seen as foreigners in Europe and then in Nigeria, they are called whites which they aren’t,” Rohr summed up.