Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr was impressed with the performance of Kingsley Michael and Innocent Bonke in their first appearances for the senior national team during Tuesday's 2-1 win against Cape Verde.
The German football tactician had no choice but to hand debuts to the Bologna and Malmo stars as the top four players in his pecking order of midfielders - Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi and Oghenekaro Etebo - were unavailable for selection following the decision of the Premier League and SPFL not to release players to red-listed countries.
Rohr is of the opinion that Bonke and Michael stepped up to the plate for the first time they were wearing the Super Eagles jersey.
The Super Eagles coach handed a call-up to Bonke after helping Malmo to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, while Michael has forced his way into the thinking of manager Sinisa Mihajlovic after his strong displays in pre-season.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rohr told reporters : "Bonke and Kingsley had their first game today with us, it was even the first time that they were in the list.
"You know Bonke did very well with Malmo already in the club, qualified for the Champions League, we already had him in our scouting list.
"The opportunity was here for him and Kingsley Michael who is playing in Bologna, we lost all our midfielders.
"You know Bonke did very well with Malmo already in the club, qualified for the Champions League, we already had him in our scouting list.
"The opportunity was here for him and Kingsley Michael who is playing in Bologna, we lost all our midfielders.
"Kingsley started for Bologna last league game, when you are a starting player in Italy you can also do something for the national team.
"The two players did very well. In the beginning of the match, of course they missed a little bit the harmony because it was the first time and perhaps also the last time they'll play together like this, but they did very well like professionals. I think the work they had to do they did it well."
"The two players did very well. In the beginning of the match, of course they missed a little bit the harmony because it was the first time and perhaps also the last time they'll play together like this, but they did very well like professionals. I think the work they had to do they did it well."
Previously, Michael represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels and Bonke was uncapped for the national teams.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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