33 days to Russia 2018, race to make provisional lists heat up
Most of the 32 nations that qualified for Russia 2018 will release their provisional squad lists by May 15, with Nigeria’s national team manager, Gernot Rohr, expected to comply.
Nigeria: Will Enyeama be recalled?
The main question that will be answered by Rohr’s list would be the inclusion or exclusion of Vincent Enyeama. There have been continuous calls that the 35-year-old be invited as he remains the most viable option between the sticks, but the counter-argument has been that the Eagles should not repeat the Peter Rufai mistake of 1998.
Rohr has often stated that he is more interested in building for the future than retracing his steps and on the issue of goalkeeping; he said he would not take an older goalkeeper to Russia to sit on the bench. Toyin Ibitoye, the team’s Media Officer told PREMIUM TIMES that Nigerians should be assured that Rohr will do justice with his provisional list.
Argentines need Giovanni Simeone’s drive
Michael Yokhin, writing in ESPN said, “As far as winning mentality is concerned, few can rival the Simeones, and the feeling is that is exactly what Argentina is missing. They scored just 19 goals in 18 qualifying games on the way to the World Cup, and Lionel Messi is responsible for seven of them. The superstar needs a partner like [Gabriel] Batistuta who is not afraid to take the game on himself, and Simeone could take responsibility when needed. But would Sampaoli gamble on him? There is also the hanging question of whether the duo of Paulo Dybala and Mario Icardi will make this Argentina team.
Croatia
Zlatko Dalic told the FIFA website that it is time for his “great generation” of Croatia players to stop living off the glory of the 1998 side that claimed third place in France. Dalic revealed that most of the players that will make the provisional list will be the ones that got the nation to Russia.
“This week we will define a larger squad, and it will comprise players who have spent the last two-three years in the national team – there will be no big surprises.
“We have great players and a great generation, and we have to believe in this generation at the World Cup. They got us there and we should give them a chance.”
Iceland: Sigurdsson’s continued absence
The major issue for Iceland manager, Hallgrimsson, is the fitness of their talisman, Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Everton forward has not played since March 3 when he sustained a knee injury against Brighton. It was diagnosed and the recuperation period was stated to be between six and eight weeks but he is not yet fit for the Everton for their last league match on Sunday, May 13. It is now very critical to get Sigurdsson back fit and match ready for their first match against Argentina on June 16.
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