Rohr takes search for goalkeeper to local league

• CHAN camp now opens on Monday in Kano
Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr has decided to look into the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) for goalkeepers for the senior national team, an official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed.

Following the 0-2 loss to South Africa in an African Nations Cup qualifier last month, there has been calls for the manager to look for a ‘more reliable’ goalkeeper, as fans accused Daniel Akpeyi of not being suitable for the job.

While some have called for the recall of Dele Aiyenugba, others want former captain, Vincent Enyeama to be begged to come back to the team. But an NFF source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that Rohr has been convinced to look into the NPFL for good goalkeepers.

“We read that Rohr is thinking of inviting South Africa-based former U-23 goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel to the team, but all I can say is that the issue is more serious than that.

“We must beat Cameroun in Uyo and to do that we need the best players we can get hence the decision to look for the best goalkeepers around to come and prove what they can do.

“Apart from goalkeepers, the manager has been in touch with the players needed for the matches against Cameroun and everybody is agreed that we must treat the game with the seriousness it deserves.”

Meanwhile, officials of the home-based Eagles have disclosed that the team will convene in Kano on Monday to begin preparation for the CHAN qualifier against either Benin Republic or Togo.

The NFF initially announced that the team would begin camping tomorrow in the same city, but the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye said yesterday that the date has been shifted to allow the players feature for their clubs in this weekend’s NPFL matches.