'I Like John Ogu Very Much'- Rohr Defends Decision Not To Field Midfielder Vs Libya

Published: October 15, 2018

Hapoel Beer Sheva's John Ogu was a non-playing substitute in Nigeria's 4-0 rout of Libya in Saturday evening's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr was forced to make an injury-enforced change in the 18th minute, bringing on Chelsea loanee Ola Aina for Abdullahi Shehu, while Isaac Success and Henry Onyekuru came on in the second half.

The German has explained that he was looking ahead to the match day four fixture in Sfax, hence his decision not to field Ogu.

''I like John Ogu very much, his moment will come. When you already have an injury in the first half, you have to do a change, Ola Aina replacing Shehu,'' Rohr said at the post-match press conference.

''We wanted Ahmed to recover for the second game and the center forward (Ighalo) who scored three goals. We took into account the second game, that's why we made these changes.''

Ogu has been an unused substitute in the Super Eagles last five competitive matches against Croatia, Iceland, Argentina, Seychelles and Libya.

Igho Kingsley