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Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has acknowledged that the Super Eagles struggled in midfield without influential Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi during Thursday's 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Central African Republic.
Nigeria experienced an injury crisis ahead of the fixture with Everton's Alex Iwobi, Watford's Oghenekaro Etebo, Lorient's Terem Moffi and Olympiakos Henry Onyekuru also pulling out of the squad due to fitness issues.
And as if things were not bad enough, Racing Genk goal poacher Paul Onuachu suffered an injury in a training session two days before the clash against Central African Republic.
In the absence of Ndidi, Etebo and Iwobi, three players also based in the United Kingdom in the form of Rangers' Joe Aribo, Brentford's Frank Onyeka and Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho were asked to play in a three-man midfield.
Speaking to reporters post-match, Rohr explained : "We miss the creativity of Alex Iwobi, we missed him so much, Ndidi, so the midfield has been built for the first time like we did today.
"It was not easy for Onyeka, for Aribo, also the first time Awoniyi to come in this team so they need time.
"But I think the spirit of the team is still there, the fighting spirit, and I hope that in the next game we'll be a little bit more lucky than today".
"It was not easy for Onyeka, for Aribo, also the first time Awoniyi to come in this team so they need time.
"But I think the spirit of the team is still there, the fighting spirit, and I hope that in the next game we'll be a little bit more lucky than today".
Ndidi is a doubt to be in the Super Eagles squad for their games against Liberia and Cape Verde in November given the estimated recovery time of around four to five weeks.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
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