By Amosu Adeboye, LAGOS
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has hinted that he will begin search for new midfielders especially replacement for the retired captain of the side, John Mikel Obi.
Mike announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
Mikel missed all the side’s qualifying games for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations but made himself available for the competition proper.
The former Chelsea midfielder however made only two appearances in Egypt 2019 struggling to get fit for the majority of the competition.
Rohr also solely depended on midfielders; Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo in the competition and was forced to play Alex Iwobi in the play making role due to the limited options available to him.
The German tactician is however now determined to boost his options in that department by bringing in more midfielders.
“First, I think we have thank this great player for his successful career and also what he has done for Nigeria. He didn’t participate in the qualifiers, but he agreed to come and play his role as captain here. It was good to have him around even though he didn’t play many games, “Rohr told a news conference after the Super Eagles 1-0 win against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in their third placed encounter on Wednesday night.
“We have to search for new midfielders now. We have Semi Ajayi who was part of our initial 25 man list for this competition but didn’t make the final 23. He could come and play in defensive midfield. There are other young players but it all depends on what they are doing in their clubs.
“We don’t have players in Champions League clubs. We have some good players playing in second division in Germany and England. We only have two playing in England regularly but Alex Iwobi is not all the time starting player at Arsenal, and Ndidi, yes in Leicester but it’s not a very big club.
“So I think we have to work hard to find the players who can replace Obi Mikel or the other ones we have in the team now. “
