Why Rohr Keeps Excluding Josh Maja From Super Eagles Squad

Nigeria’ Super Eagles recently played two international friendly games against Algeria and Tunisia, but there was no place for Josh Maja.

The Bordeaux striker has been sidelined from the Super Eagles since he made his debut in a 2-2 draw against Ukraine last year.

Clubs took notice of 21-year-old after scoring 17 times in 49 games in his first full season as a first-team player.

This season, he has two goals in seven games for Jean-Louis Gasset side.

However, despite Maja’s decent numbers, he is still being ignored by Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr.

The German tactician invited 25 players for the squad that played against Algeria and Tunisia, but it was a surprise to see Maja left out.

Maja offers something different as he plays as a centre forward, but he could also operate behind the striker and on the flanks.

Often, Maja drops deep to pick up the ball, while his link-up play is a delight to watch.

This is a quality that the Eagles lacked in the games against Algeria and Tunisia.

In the clash against the African champions, Onuachu led the line, but he did not offer any threat due to the team’s tactics.

This begs the question on why Maja was not invited given he fits into the style Rohr wants to play.

Victor Osimhen missed the encounters, and that should have given Maja a chance.

It was more of a surprise when he was not called up as a replacement for the Napoli striker as he was on the standby list. 

While it’s true that a coach prefers to stick with his trusted stalwarts especially when nothing is broken, Rohr invited six new players for Nigeria’s games this month, which makes it hard to justify Maja’s exclusion.

SEE ALSO | Chikeluba Ofoedu Waiting For Super Eagles Invitation

Nigeria return to action when they take on Sierra Leone in a doubleheader Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, and it remains to be seen if Rohr will name the Bordeaux striker in his squad for the two games.

Soccernet

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