Rohr explains why he didn’t pick Awoniyi for World Cup qualifiers

Coach Gernot Rohr has explained why didn’t invite Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde this month.

Awoniyi has been in fine form in the Bundesliga this season, finding the back of the net five times in his last five matches for Union Berlin in all competitions.

Rohr says his team already had four centre forwards and as such, there was no place for the 24-year-old attacker.

“There are people calling for Awoniyi while also there are those calling for other players,” Rohr told the media during Thursday’s press conference.

“We can only bring three centre forwards, we have already [Victor] Osimhen, we have Paul Onuachu, we have [Terem] Moffi who is doing well in Lorient and we even have Kelechi [Iheanacho].

“So, which one do you want me to bring out to put in Awoniyi?”

Nigeria will play Liberia on Friday and victory will boost their chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.