The decision of coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr to play his regular players in the dead rubber AFCON 2019 Qualifiers tie against Seychelles has drawn criticism from several quarters of the Nigerian media.
Many expected the coach to use some of his fringe players in the game which Nigeria won 3-1 due to the fact that Nigeria have already qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a swift response Rohr explained that his decision to play his regular players has to do with the fact that he needed the team to win the game as it will boost their monthly ranking by FIFA.
Rohr said the Super Eagles current position of 46th in the world ranking need to be improved on hence the decision to go all out for a win against Seychelles on Friday in Asaba, Delta state, Nigeria.
“I told my players that it is important that we beat Seychelles at home to end the AFCON qualifiers as group winners irrespective of the result in Tunisia between Libya and South Africa,” Rohr told journalists.
“I also want the Eagles FIFA ranking to improve before the next window for friendly games. It was important we beat them even though I knew it would be difficult. Seychelles started their preparations for this qualifier early.”
