Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has declared that the team cannot adapt its playing philosophy to suit any individual’s style of play but vice-versa, reports www.aclsports.com
Speaking at the team’s Official Press Conference ahead of Friday’s international friendly game between Nigeria and Algeria in Austria, Rohr, speaking via Zoom Teleconferencing said in particular reference to Belgium based Paul Onuachu that each player must be ready to adapt his game.
Onuachu standing at 2.1m is the tallest member of the Super Eagles side currently in Austria and ACLSports Publisher Calvin Emeka Onwuka asked Rohr if he thinks the team needs to play to the strength of the Genk man.
“The team must not have to adapt its game to a player. The player must adapt to our style of play, and that is what Onuachu has to do,” replied Rohr.
“Our defenders and midfielders equally have the opportunities to give also long balls to him and in the air, he is very strong, this is a new opportunity for us but he has to adapt his own game on ours.”
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Former Midtjylland striker, Onuachu started for the Super Eagles in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) game against Burundi in June 2019 but has only played a combined 23 minutes for the team ever since.
He was initially left out of the squad for this double-header friendlies but was recalled following the unavailability of top marksman Victor Osimhen. Rohr spoke further on what Onuachu must do to remain with the team.
“We play on the ground, we don’t want to play all the time in the air, but our wingers can give good crosses and he can be interesting with his headers and also with his shooting.
“For the moment, I think he is the striker that can help us to replace Osimhen and also Cyriel Dessers. Perhaps we will see in the last moment, which one will start,” summed Rohr.
Rohr’s men will face African champions Algeria on Friday, at the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, starting from 8:30pm local time (7:30pm in Nigeria). They will also face another North African side Tunisia in Austria next Tuesday.
