Former Shooting Stars attacker, Adegoke Adelabu, has said Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, should only invite players who feature regularly for their clubs for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo on November 12.
Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in Ndola to top Group B with three points ahead of Cameroon and Algeria, who are tied on one point each after their 1-1 draw in their opening match. Zambia are last in the group with no point.
Adelabu, who praised the Eagles for beating Zambia, told our correspondent that Rohr needed players playing regularly for their clubs against Algeria because the game would be tougher than the one against Zambia.
“The most important thing for the match against Algeria is for the coach to invite only players playing regular football in their clubs because these set of players will be already fit for the match and can cope with the rigours of the match,” he said.
“There are many players home and abroad who are regulars for their clubs. They should be the players wearing the national colours.
“The battle with Algeria is one that Nigeria must win. The Algerians are already fired up more than we are because they have yet to get any win in the qualifiers. They drew their first match at home so they will be coming here for a win.
“Our players need the right cognitive and tactical discipline in that match to allow for a positive results which Nigerians want – a win.”
The former international, who is a sports scientist, said the Eagles should avoid focusing on a particular player in the Algerian team but should rather play the team as a whole.
He said, “When the players begin to have a mindset of focusing on one or two players in the opponents’ team, it will cause disarray in their organisation. In this case, (Riyad) Mahrez and (Islam) Slimani are the two known star players in the Algerian team.”
