Rohr closes Nation Cup camp to fresh invitees after expressing satisfaction with win over Egypt

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has closed his camp to new invitees saying that the recent two games against Seychelles and Egypt have allowed him to draw up his final list of players he will be taking to the African Cup of Nations.

Last Friday, Nigeria beat Seychelles 3-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba in the Super Eagles final qualifier for the Nations Cup and then yesterday,  the team also beat Egypt 1-0 in a friendly match at the same stadium. Between June 21 and July 19, the 32nd African Cup of Nations will be taking place in Egypt and Nigeria is expected to be among the favourites to win the tournament.

Delighted with the two recent victories, Mr Rohr said he was particularly pleased with the fast start made against Egypt that resulted in Nigeria scoring the winner within one minute of kick off. Debutant Paul Onuachu, 24, who plays for Danish club Midtjylland, got the game off to a smashing start with his first touch of the ball.

According to Mr Rohr, he has found all the players he would need for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. He indicated that future friendly games will be used to forge team chemistry rather than look for new players.

Mr Rohr added: “The window for new player invitations to Super Eagles is closed. We will continue to scout but no new invitations for Afcon 2019.”

Next month, on April 12,the Confederation of African Football will be holding the draws for the competition near Cairo at the tourist spot facing the Sphinx and the Pyramids. In this expanded tournament that features 24 teams, Nigeria has been seeded in Pot B along with Morocco, Algeria, Guinea, Mali and DR Congo.