By Omobolaji Oyegunle, LONDON
Super Eagles and Readings of of Turkey midfielder Ogenzi Onazi believes there is so much competition to get into the Nigeria squad that no one can take their place at the World Cup for granted.
Nigeria lost to Serbia national team 2-0 in one of the country’s friendly in London ahead her preparations for the Mundial.
The team technical adviser Gernot Rohr was deprived of a number of senior players through injury or unable to fast track their travel documents.
Rohr has already issued a warning that players will have to think twice about dropping out of future international because they might not get a recall back to the team and Onazi admits that the battle to be part of the 23-man squad in Russia has only just begun.
The midfielder told Prompt News Online at the team’s hotel in London:” Rohr hasn’t said anything to us about who is in line to be in the squad this summer.
“The competition is very strong and everyone knows that we are playing for shirt. Every time we are going out on to the field, you have to perform to be on that plane to Russia.
“You just have to look at the lads that have stepped up over the past two games. We have a very good depth of squad and we need to utilise that
“It is important that everyone stays fit and keep playing well because that is what will get them to Russia.
“It is a proud moment for everyone if they get picked for the country, we need to give that back to the manager and repay the faith he has shown by selecting us in the squad
“Having competition for the World Cup is healthy. It is only going to push everyone because we know that there is someone hitting at our heels or you know you need to take that shirt off someone”
