Super Eagles head coach explains Ahmed Musa’s “non-playing captain” role

Coach Gernot Rohr says captain Ahmed Musa was given an honorary place in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in opposition to Benin and Lesotho.

The shock inclusion of the 28-year-old, who has been inactive since leaving Saudi Arabian facet Al Nassr in October, has sharply divided opinions within the nation.

The hypothesis has compelled Rohr to make clear and defend Musa’s non-playing position because the twenty fourth participant.

“It is vital to make clear that Musa will not be within the aggressive listing of 23 gamers for our recreation in opposition to Benin and Lesotho,” Rohr advised BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday.

“We have invited Musa because the captain by making him the twenty fourth participant, however he’s not as a part of the 23 on the listing that may play our two matches.

“What’s vital now’s to give attention to the video games forward and to not be distracted by the rest. We hope for all our gamers to be match and journey down safely for the matches.”

Nevertheless Saudi Arabia-based striker Odion Ighalo will not be included within the squad as he continues to contemplate a request from Rohr to return out of worldwide retirement.

On the ultimate match day, the West African nation will host Lesotho within the industrial metropolis of Lagos on 30 March.

Three-time continental champions Nigeria at present high Group L on eight factors, one forward of Benin whereas Sierra Leone have three factors and Lesotho two.

Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista, Portugal); William Troost-Ekong (Watford, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn, Germany); Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (Twente, The Netherlands)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester Metropolis, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosa, Cyprus); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

Forwards: Alex Iwobi (Everton, England); Sadiq Umar (Almeria, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester Metropolis, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Moses Simon (Nantes, France)

Non-playing captain: Ahmed Musa (Unattached)

Standby: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray, Turkey); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Terem Moffi (Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Michael Olise (Studying, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)