Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has spoken of his concerns about Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi, who are not getting plenty of time on the pitch at their respective clubs.
Iheanacho has only recently joined Leicester City after failing to win over Pep Guardiola at Manchester City last season, while Iwobi has not started for Arsenal this season despite a promising pre-season wit the Gunners.
And Rohr has now spoken of his concern of the players’ lack of minutes on the pitch at their clubs, which he says is not what he would have liked.
“They are not playing so much, not all the time for their clubs,” he said in an interview.
“They are missing a big competition, but they are very young with peak motivation, very good qualities, quick links, good pressing and they can score goals.”
Iwobi and Iheanacho scored the goals that beat Zambia in Ndola in October to get Nigeria off to a winning start on the road to Russia 2018.
And they both played important roles as the Eagles posted a second straight World Cup qualifying win against Algeria in November in Uyo.
However, Iwobi, 21, has only played only 21 minutes for Arsenal in the league this season, while 20-year-old Iheanacho, who has been battling with a niggling toe injury, has only seen eight minutes of action amid lingering doubts over his availability.
photo credit: guardian.ng