Rohr: Playing in China better than sitting on the Bench in England

Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr says the recent move of Captain John Mikel Obi as well as striker Odion Ighalo to different clubs in the Chinese Super League, CSL, is a good development.


The Franco-German noted that the transfer will positively rub off on the senior national team when the qualifiers for the AFCON 2019 and World Cup 2018 commence in June and August respectively.

He made the claim in Sagamu where he watched a Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, match between Remo Stars and Niger Tornadoes yesterday.

Rohr dismissed fears that it could affect the form and performance of the Super Eagles stars.

He claimed that moving to China to play consistently was a far better option than sitting on the bench at Chelsea and Watford respectively.

“The first thing to note is that these guys were not playing at all in their former clubs and now that they have got new clubs it means they will be playing regularly.

“This is good for the Super Eagles and for our aspirations to be at the World Cup. Playing in China is certainly better than sitting on the bench in their former clubs. As professionals I expect them to raise their game as they have been doing even when not playing regularly.

“They play good football in China now. It’s no longer the exotic football they used to play. Now they play ‘real’ football there. They have a real football league with very good players from all over the world and I’m happy that our captain has been able to secure a very good contract.

“Now he gets to play regularly and he’s also the captain of his team. I’m also happy for Ighalo because he will get to play and score plenty of goals.”