Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says the upcoming friendly matches against Cameroon will be used to test some new and fringe players in the team.
The Super Eagles battle 5-time African champions, the Indomitable Lions on Friday at the Stadion Weiner Neustadt, Vienna, before facing the Cameroonians again at the same venue, four days later.
Following the mass withdrawals of Victor Osimhen, Semi Ajayi, Tyronne Ebuehi, Ola Aina, Simy Nwankwo, Zaidu Sanusi and Kevin Akpoguma due to injuries, the Franco-German tactician is now poised to give the likes of Abraham Marcus, Peter Olayinka, Valentine Ozornwafor and Terem Moffi a chance to prove their worth as preparations for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers get underway.
“In this test match, you see that so many players are not here,” the 67-year-old former Gabon and Burkina Faso coach said after the team’s training on Tuesday. “And it’s an opportunity for us to try other players; to see new faces, and they will have the chance to show something.
“It’s always important to prepare well for the World Cup. It’s the last opportunity now to do something to prepare well for our World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.
“So, we must use this opportunity to be ready.”
Nigeria are in Group C of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers alongside Liberia, Cape Verde and Central African Republic, and will open their campaign in September against the Lone Stars.
Eagles in camp:
Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, John Noble, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Shehu Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem, Jamilu Collins, Etebo Oghenekaro, Valentine Ozonwafor, Anayo Iwuala, Abraham Marcus, Terem Moffi, Peter Olayinka, Samson Tijani, Ahmed Musa (C) and Paul Onuachu.
