Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has explained his decision to overlook red hot striker Paul Onuachu from the 23- squad to face Benin and Lesotho for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers this month.
Despite his impressive form for Genk this campaign, the lanky striker only made the standby list of seven players. But, Rohr claimed the reason for his decision was to give others the opportunity to take a shot at the same position.
“We saw him already, we know him, we know his strengths.
“He was a little bit unlucky each time when he has to play. It is the last moment before the World Cup qualifiers that we can test somebody else, so we choose Sadiq Umar.”
The German tactician also hinted that Onuachu was his second choice at the moment despite the snub.
“In this position we have a number one which is Victor Osimhen. There is no question about it,” the former Girondis Bordeaux coach added.
“If we want a number two, we can have Onuachu, we know him. But I want another opportunity to see a new player, which is Sadiq Umar.”
Sadiq, who plays for Spanish outfit UD Almeria, has bagged 14 Segunda goals in 26 appearances this season to help the club secure top flight promotion for the first time since 2014/15 season.
