2018 World Cup: Rohr’s Headache

By Akinwale Kasali

With less than 35 days to the commencement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, is having serious nightmare over the injury list of his players that soar to eight, with Las Palmas Football Club midfielder, Oghenekaro Peter Etebo joining the list of injured players.

Before Etebo joining the fray, Rohr has been battling for the recovery of Joel Obi (Torino FC), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag), Henry Onyekuru (Anderlecht FC), Leon Balogun (Mainz FC), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco loanee) and Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC).

With these injury list, Rohr is hoping that the players recuperate before the camp of the Super Eagles open for the preparation of the world fiesta.

Rohr had stated that the 35-man list for camping will be released in a few weeks in which some of the players will be dropped after the friendly match against DR Congo later in the month, before the friendlies against England and another country.

The injury worries of the players is a major concern for Rohr, because some of his regulars are also in he treatment room, which could spell doom for the Super Eagles performance at the mundial.

Etebo will no longer take part in Las Palmas remaining matches in the Spanish league as the Club Desportivo Feirense of Portugal loanee has been sidelined due to the injury worries. Though, Las Palmas has been relegated from the Spanish football top-flight to the second division, but Etebo still plays an important role in the team.

Arsenal FC midfielder, Alex Iwobi has put the injury scare he had against Manchester United and Burnley aside, as he filed out for the Gunners in their 3-1 loss to Leicester City, with his national teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho scored the opener for the foxes to record his third premier league goal for Leicester.