Rohr drops three players from his World Cup squad following 1-1 draw with Congo in Port Harcourt

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has dropped three players from his squad following yesterday's 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Port Harcourt as he continues pruning it down in the run-up to the World Cup.

 

As part of ongoing plans to get the team in shape for the tournament next month, the Eagles faced the Leopards in the Rivers State capital last night, with the match ending 1-1. After the game, Coach Rohr pruned his list by three, dropping Uche Agbo, Junior Lokosa and Stephen Eze, bringing the total number of players in contention for World Cup places to 26.

 

Already, winger Moses Simon is out of contention as he has failed to recover from injury, so the provisional squad which Mr Rohr announced earlier this month is nearly down to the 23 required for the World Cup. On Saturday June 2, Nigeria will face England at Wembley and after this game, Mr Rohr will announce his final 23.

 

Yesterday, Lokosa was given a run-out and did relatively well but Agbo and Eze did not see action at all. None of the three are expected to travel with the team to London where Chelsea winger Victor Moses will link up with the squad, having being given leave to rest after his recent FA Cup game.

 

Team watchers believe Plateau United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye will most likely be one of the four shot stoppers Rohr drops as he keeps faith with the trio of Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi who have been with him since for the past six months. There is also some uncertainty around the plight of centreback Chidozie Awaziem who is also fighting injury, having picked up a knock in training.

 

His ankle injury was thought to be nothing serious but he is yet to return to training with the main squad. Given that Mr Rohr has dropped centrebacks Eze and Agbo though, it is likely that he is confident Awaziem will be fully fit soon.

 

Yesterday, the Eagles squandered an early lead, having been put ahead by William Ekong in the 15th minute and despite creating numerous scoring chances, failed to build upon their lead. However, Congolese striker Ben Malango Ngita equalised for the Leopards in the 78th minute after substitute Ola Aina conceded a penalty.

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