|
Exactly two years ago, both Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo were emerging leaders in the Nigeria Super Eagles set-up. Under the reign of erstwhile manager Sunday Oliseh, Musa was named captain, while Omeruo was selected as one of two vice-captains in what was clearly seen as preparation for the future. Fast forward 24 months and both players, younger than 25, appear to have lost relevance in the greater scheme of things at international level, ultimately dividing opinions among football-crazy Super Eagles fans. In the latest international call-ups for October's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia, Gernot Rohr invited an inactive, but experienced Musa with 63 international caps; bizarrely failing to invite Omeruo, whose experience, if not qualities, remain unrivalled in the heart of the Eagles' defence. In the build-up to the double-header against Cameroon, Omeruo was placed on the standby list due to not having a proper pre-season, as he trained with the Chelsea's Under-21s virtually all summer. It was hard to accept but understandable, as only the fittest players were considered for the qualifiers. However, the 23-year-old defender has found a new home at Kasimpasa in Turkey, featured in two league games, but then got yanked off the call-up list. But Musa, who has played one competitive game this season -- back in August -- for Leicester City, received a customary invitation for the Zambia game. What, then, could be Rohr's parameters for deciding both players' fate? Perhaps experience, quality, mental state of mind?  Uche Agbo, a player who stepped into the international limelight as a central midfielder with the John Obu-led Flying Eagles class of 2013, was elevated from the standby list of Cameroon invites, and now gets a spot on the 23-man list as one of four central defenders alongside William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun and Chidozie Awaziem. What message could Rohr possibly be giving by totally ignoring a tried-and-tested central defender with 37 international caps, who is an adept right-back? Instead, he favoured a midfielder-cum-defender with a solitary international appearance, who has played as a holding midfielder this season for Standard Liege in the Belgium Jupiler League. The Oyinbo Wall -- Troost-Ekong and Balogun -- has recently excelled when paired in the heart of defence, but what fate could befall the team in the event of injury or an off day for either in the game against Zambia? With no obvious experienced back-up to call upon, Rohr might just have shot himself in the foot. In keeping with consistency, Henry Onyekuru should have received the nod over Musa, as the former is a greenhorn compared to the latter, but has made a better start to the season with Anderlecht, netting four goals in ten competitive appearances so far. Musa has started four games for the Super Eagles under Rohr and, interestingly, none were deemed relevant. A start in the dead-rubber Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania was followed by starts in international friendlies against Senegal, Corsica and Togo. He has failed to get into the line-up for key games against Zambia, Algeria, South Africa and Cameroon. Rohr's continuous inclusion of a player he clearly doesn't trust could lead to the Leicester City man remaining in his comfort zone, not eager to depart the Foxes for regular playing time in a team and league which suits his style. Only the best deserve to don the green-and-white jersey of the Super Eagles. Double standards shouldn't be applied by inviting senior players into the squad in order to avoid turning an evolving team into a rehabilitation camp.
|
