Rohr Makes Up His Mind On Starting XI Vs DRC: Uzoho, Obi, Iheanacho, Lokosa Play For Probable Starters

Published: May 27, 2018

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has already made up his mind on the eleven players that will start Monday's pre-World Cup friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo.

The German tactician divided the team into two groups at the end of the physical exercises for a training game between Team A and Team B.

In the team wearing green jerseys were goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, right back Tyronne Ebuehi, central defenders William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, midfielders Eddy Onazi, Joel Obi and Oghenekaro Etebo, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Junior Lokosa and Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo played upfront.

Rohr has revealed that he will stick with these aforementioned players or the Team B for tomorrow's game because most of the players did not have enough game time for their respective clubs in the recently concluded season.

Indeed, Iheanacho started only seven matches from a possible 38 in the Premier League, Simy made only 11 starts, Joel Obi missed Torino's last five matches due to fitness concerns and Troost-Ekong found himself out of favour in Bursaspor's last six games in the Super Lig as a result of a change in coach.

New Benfica signing Tyronne Ebuehi played only two matches from a possible nine before reporting for international duty as he was recovering from a groin injury, while Balogun started only 14 games over the course of last season.

Left back Elderson Echiejile started only seven league games in total for Sivasspor and Cercle Brugge, and had been inactive since February 25 before joining the Super Eagles camp.

Super Eagles Starting XI against DRC barring last-minute change: Uzoho; Ebuehi, Ekong, Balogun, Echiejile; Onazi, Etebo, Joel Obi; Lokosa, Iheanacho, Simy

Ifeanyi Emmanuel