According to ACL sports, Gernot Rohr is said to shock football lovers in Nigeria by naming a surprising line-up for the Super Eagles opening Africa Cup of Nations clash against Burundi on Saturday, June 22 2019.
The Super Eagles open their quest for a fourth Afcon title when they trade tackles with debutants Burundi in the opening match of Group B. Nigeria are set to be without Samuel Kalu for the encounter against the swallows after the Bordeaux collapsed in training on Friday.
According to NFF spokesperson, Kalu suffered from dehydration and his likely to miss the clash against the Swallows. He (Kalu) is stable now. We are awaiting our doctor’s report to confirm what really happened to him.” “I have been told Samuel Kalu has been stabilised. He was taken to hospital for tests and he is certified okay. He was dehydrated, they said. Told him he needs to be taking enough fluids.”
As a result of Kalu’s unavailability, Kalu is set to be replaced by Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze in the starting line up. The 19-year-old was one of the breakout stars in La Liga and that earned him a spot in Rohr’s 23 man squad.
He was not expected to start, but Kalu’s latest setback means he has been drafted in by the German. Also, Rohr has taken the bold call to drop Odion Ighalo for Paul Onauchu in the clash against the Swallows. Ighalo was Nigeria’s top scorer in the qualifiers, so Rohr leaving him out of the starting line-up is a huge shock.
Breaking Team News: #NGABDI
Talented youngster Samuel Chukwueze to replace Samuel Kalu in the starting XI while man-mountain Paul Onuachu will start instead of Odion Ighalo for the Super Eagles tonight.
Jamilu Collins also is ill so Ola Aina will be at left back. #AFCON2019
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 22, 2019
Meanwhile, Jamilu Collins has been ruled out of the encounter which means Ola Aina is set to make his tournament debut for the Super Eagles in the left back spot.
#NGA XI vs Burundi
Akpeyi;@OfficialShehu, @omeruo22, @WTroostEkong, @Aina2Ola;@Ndidi25, @mikel_john_obi, @etebo_karo;@chukwueze_8, Onuachu, @alexiwobi.#NGABDI #AFCON2019
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 22, 2019
Speaking on the clash against Swallows, Rohr spoke on the importance of beating the minows comfortably. Burundi are ranked 37th in Africa and are expected to be no match for the Super Eagles who are the number three ranked country in Africa.
“Beating Burundi in the first game will help stabilise the team,” Rohr said in his pre-match press conference. “But we are aware that at this point every team wants to establish its supremacy in the first game and so Burundi will not be an easy task. We are ready to face any opponent in Egypt.
“My major target now is to get the team to work as a unit and be psychologically prepared to win the first game against Burundi. “Winning the first game is very important for the Eagles because it would instil more confidence in the players.”
Meanwhile, Burundi striker, Ndikumana Yamini Selemani has been excluded from the national team in Egypt following his misbehaviour. The decision was taken on Thursday, June 20, 2019, by the technical staff of the Football Federation of Burundi which is currently in Egypt for the Total Africa Cup of Nations that is going to kick off on Friday, June 21, 2019.
A statement on the Football Federation of Burundi Facebook page read as follow, “The player Ndikumana Yamini is no longer part of the Burundi national team players who are going to take part in the CAN 2019 scheduled in Egypt from June 21 to July 19, 2019.
“The decision of the return of this player was taken today (Thursday, June 20, 2019) by the technical staff, after misbehaviour shown by this player, thus violating the rules of conduct and solidarity that the players and staff have agreed to defend the national colours from This June 22, 2019. “All the other 22 players are in shape with a good spirit to challenge Nigeria from the first entry to the AFCON contestation on Saturday in Alexandria.