Ex-internationals Bright Omokaro and Friday Ekpo say Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr must base his final squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia next month on merit only.
Rohr on Monday named his provisional 30-man squad for the football showpiece taking place in the Eurasia country for the first time since its inception in Uruguay in 1930.
The former Gabon manager, who named Crotone goalscoring sensation Simy Nwankwo, domestic league hotshot Junior Lokosa and South Korea 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner Dele Ajiboye as the three surprise inclusions on the 30-man list, will soon announce his final squad for the World Cup.
Maroc ’88 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist Omokaro and Senegal ’92 AFCON bronze medalist Ekpo, who are backing the provisional list, urged Rohr to pick his final squad without bowing to pressure from the authorities.
“Rohr is a professional who has a name to protect, so I believe he knows the best by selecting these crop of players in the provisional list,” News Agency of Nigeria quoted Omokaro as saying on Thursday.
“The coach should not allow anybody to influence his final selection but rather it should be based on merit.
“Nigerians expect the players to justify their selection.’’
Omokaro’s words were echoed by former Gabon-based midfielder Ekpo, who also commended Rohr’s list.
The former Super Eagles midfielder said, “Those in the provisional list have all been tested by the coach in one way or the another.
“Nigerians are looking forward to the final list of players that will represent them in Russia, Rohr should not give room for external influence. The final selection should be based on merit.’’
Meanwhile, sports minister Solomon Dalung has commended Rohr and the NFF for the preparations for the World Cup.
He urged the team to continue to produce the desired results in their friendly games and aspire to win the tournament.
The minister said, “We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to travel to Russia and support the team but it is worthy of note that every plan on the ground will focus on the welfare of the team and officials before considering issues of sponsoring people to support the team because of economic realities on ground.
“The team having qualified for the World Cup is a Nigerian team, therefore the preparations and mobilisation of support is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
