Ogenyi Onazi Targets Super Eagles Return
Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has said he is targeting a comeback to the team two years after he was frozen out by the coach, Gernot Rohr, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr dropped Onazi as deputy to Mikel Obi ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And since then, the German coach has not extended invitation to the Denizlispor midfielder.
Onazi told Brila that his relationship with the team’s boss Rohr is great and he is targeting a return into the squad sooner.
The former Trabzonspor of Turkey man has been out of the Super Eagles since suffering a serious injury that ruled him out of the 2019 African cup of Nations in Egypt.
The 27 year returned to full fitness back in December 2019 but wasn’t listed in the Super Eagles squad to face Sierra Leone in a doubleheader 2021 AFCON clash back in March, before the game was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While some reports attributed his recent omission from the squad to break down of relationship with Gernot Rohr, Onazi who last featured for Nigeria against Seychelles said that his relationship with Franco-German tactician is fine and he’s focused on winning back his place in the team.
“I was injured that’s why I wasn’t in the national team, I speak with the coach sometimes, and I also congratulated him on his new deal, but you can’t be speaking to the coach all the time, because my job is to play.”
“And when I’m doing that pretty well, I’m sure I will be back in the team again.” He told brila.net.
Onazi who plays as a central midfielder for Turkish club Denizlispor has made 51 appearances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and was an integral part of the squad that won the 2013 African cup of Nations in South Africa.