“I Don’t Beg Anyone To Play For Nigeria” — Rohr On Bukayo Saka

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, in an exclusive interview with Daily Times Nigeria, has said he doesn’t beg anyone to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Rohr revealed this on the growing discourse about Bukayo Saka playing for the Super Eagles.

There are several Nigerian players who either have dual nationality and/or have represented other countries at youth level and are still open to play for Nigeria, having not made a senior appearance.

Saka has represented England at youth levels and is open to playing for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents. Gernot Rohr was asked if he’d spoken to the versatile teenager yet and he said:

“Personally, no, but I think the NFF President has been in touch with him and I let him do his work. Me, I never beg the player to play for Nigeria. I go, watch, say hello and if they are interested, they can call me. The desire must come from them. You can not force anybody to play for us. But of course, he is a wonderful player that will give us more quality and we are watching.

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“They (Josh Onomah and Ebere Eze) are in our scouting list. We have a great scouting list. My assistants and I have been working on them. I have three assistants and we’ve been working to see them on weekends. We monitor the players. Tonight, we can monitor Lookman (Ademola),” Rohr said.

Saka was in top form for Arsenal in the just concluded season, he scored four goals and assisted 12 goals. He won the Emirates FA Cup with Arsenal and his good season was rewarded with a new contract, the jersey number 7 and Arsenal’s young player of the year award.