Arsenal of England attacker, Alex Iwobi is set to take over the role of playmaker in the Super Eagles, as the Nigerian team’s technical adviser, Gernot Rohr believes the youngster could be more useful as a creative midfielder in the national team.
Sports247.ng gathered that Rohr is also hinting that the new role for Iwobi could start with Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, as the Franco-Grman gaffer has enough options on the wings.
Iwobi was lined out as a left-side winger by Rohr during the World Cup, but The Gunners’ former under-21 team skipper struggled for form in the opening game against Croatia, after which he appealed for a deeper role in midfield.
Iwobi’s plea is now bound to see the light of day, as the nephew of former Eagles’ captain, Austin ‘Ja Jay’ Okocha has been played through the middle in training, since rejoining the national team for the first time after the Mundial in Russia.
The presence of four out-and-out wingers in the Eagles’ camp – Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Samuel Kalu and Ahmed Musa – has already expanded Rohr’s options on the flanks, such that the gaffer is seeking a new role in the squad for Iwobi.
At the team’s training session on Wednesday, Iwobi played behind the top striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, thereby giving credence to the possibility of same occurring on Saturday against Libya.
Rohr said: “It is a possibility that Iwobi can play from the centre. We have two very quick wingers with (Samuel) Kalu and (Ahmed) Musa.
“So, the opportunity to make him (Iwobi) play in the centre has come now and perhaps he will do it.
“We have twenty-four players here and already the choice is difficult to choose the eighteen.
“There can only be 18 on the team list and eleven players starting for the game.
“I am happy with the collection of players I have and how well they are working to give the needed result on Saturday.”
