Will Rohr's Loyalty Breed Complacency?

As the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, Nigeria's squad for the tournament appears to be set in stone. Ordinarily, this should not be a surprise. After all, teams counted as favorites to for the cup are those that have settled squads. Nigeria is one of those favorites. But there is something that strikes as unsettled with this Nigerian team. This team went to the World Cup and left with a few holes and with the retirement and questions surrounding a few key players, it appears that there is space for new talent. However, Manager Gernot Rohr is not a manager given to adopting significant changes. For him, the wheel of change rotates very slowly.

The Push to Change the Squad

Youngsters Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen are pushing for a place in the squad. They have been stellar for their European clubs, which is a prerequisite that Rohr has set for making the squad. However, both have barely registered as part of Rohr's team during Rohr's tenure. Osimhen has scored freely for his European club and his hat-trick in a recent Nigerian game (v Libya) was necessary to push Nigeria's U23 through in an Olympic qualifier. Yet, Osimhen is not seriously considered for one of the two positions behind Ighalo. This is occurring even when Iheanacho, one of Rohr's preferred options upfront, is having a forgettable season at Leicester City and a third spot is seemingly open with Onuachu and Nwankwo contesting. 

As for Samuel Chukwueze, he has been one of the emerging young talents in Europe this season. His sizzling form against some of the world's best in Spain has not gone unnoticed by both the global media and top European clubs seeking new talent. Yet, Chukwueze has played just 45 minutes for Nigeria and it does not appear that Rohr will be counting on him at the upcoming AFCON in spite of the Nigerians hoping and, perhaps, assumed petrification among Nigeria's opponents. What Rohr has done is make unconvincing and tenuous comments about his wish for Chukwueze to play at the AFCON but not strongly resisting Chukwueze's call up to the U20 national team.

Rohr's Resistant Push-Back

In spite of the obvious push by youngsters to make the squad, it appears Rohr will stick to his frequently used players. That was the case at the World Cup and nothing indicates that it won't be the case at the AFCON. 

He continues to stick with such players even when they fail his edict that players who desire to play for his team must be playing regular games at their clubs. Surely, Balogun has not done that but he still plays for the national team and at times as a starter.  Goalkeeper Uzoho is doing the same when he has lately not started for his Cyproit club. More troubling is that starting Uzoho against Seychelles in March proved ill-advised as the goalie fumbled to concede a goal to the Islanders who had rarely attacked. Then Rohr has publicly spoken about Tyronne Ebuehi going to the AFCON. Guess what? Ebuehi did not play all last season because of injury and is coming back slowly. 

But Rohr's conservatism when challenged often produces good results. The emergence of Jamilu Collins, Samuel Kalu and even Etebo in the midfield have come when Rohr's was forced by circumstances to consider alternatives. Same as Iwobi in an advanced midfield position after Rohr's persistence at playing him wide. Collins' chance came after the search, over a long period, for a solid replacement for Echiejile. Kalu emerged after Victor Moses' surprising retirement. Etebo's recent starts have been due to a long absence of Onazi. Iwobi's consistent opportunity in the middle came from absence of Mikel Obi.

Rohr's changes have been forced, sometimes, by unusual circumstances. Some are obvious such as the in-squad conflict following the England game last summer when it seemed an intra-squad squabble between Onazi and Mikel was about to emerge. The result was Onazi being banished to the bench and finally outside the squad and now looking likely to miss the AFCON. Then the reported unhappiness of Mikel and Victor Moses of being played in withdrawn roles at the World Cup may have now opened up opportunity for change. What has followed, although not publicly connected, is Victor Moses' surprising retirement and Mikel's unconvincing explanations for missing the AFCON qualifiers. Even now, it is uncertain Mikel's presence at the forthcoming AFCON. But that unhappiness expressed by Mikel and Victor Moses may have reflected complacency that results from undue long term loyalty to certain players where they feel ownership, come rain or shine, of certain positions. This leads to the big question: Will such decisions breed further complacency?

If a player is assured of his position, in spite of poor form, what then motivates the player to do well? Human psychology is likely to state that diminished motivation will exist. That is a situation possibly large among the players of the team. But the reality is that a Manager cannot wily nily change his team based on form of players or he is likely going to end up with a significantly unsettled team. Form, obviously, is quite temporal and yet chemistry relies on stability, an anathema when form is considered. Rohr's efficiency of 0.630 is among the highest of any long-term Nigerian Manager, an indication that his method may be working thus far. But there are those who believe that if he gives emerging youngsters opportunity, his efficiency record would even be better. Presently, his loyalty to key players leads to restrictions on how he sets out the team as was demonstrated during the World Cup when unusual meetings were reportedly scheduled just to convince senior players to agree to play in positions which they did not like but positions that presented the team with better opportunities.

What is Needed at AFCON 2019?
Nigeria may do well, finish at the quarter or semi final stage if the Manager sticks to his regimen of loyalty to long-term players. However, if Nigeria intends to present itself with a serious opportunity at winning the tournament, the Manager must introduce some semblance of meritocracy. This is not calling for wholesale changes that turns team chemistry on its head. It is simply one that calls for a few changes that allow youngsters an opportunity to make the team and contribute in favor of Nigeria. Surely, some veteran players who are experiencing serious challenges to their form cannot and should not be part of the squad no matter how long they have been part of the team. The fact is that assuring them positions on the team defeats merit and creates complacency that defeats the vision and mission of becoming 2019 African champion.