AFCON 2019: Amunike leads, will Rohr follow?

Former African of footballer of the year, Emmanuel Amunike, who is now the head coach of the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, recently named Under-17 striker, Kelvin John in his provisional squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kelvin caught the eyes of major clubs around the world with his all-round performance for the Serengeti Boys at the just concluded CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations and he is said to be on his way to Old Trafford.

Super Eagles of Nigeria's head coach, Gernot Rohr also made similar promise when he visited the Nigeria Under-17 team before the CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations in April.

 It is also on record that Rohr made and fulfilled similar commitment to the Nigeria Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles when he eventually invited Valentine Ozornwafor for the Super Eagles' games against Egypt and Seychelles in March. But it remains to be seen who the Franco-German will call up from this Manu Garba led Golden Eaglets team, which came fourth in the just concluded CAF Under-17 Cup of Nations.

Here is a retrospective look at possible call ups;

Samson Tijani

He is the Eaglets captain and led by example in Tanzania. Scooped the “man of the match” award in the 1 - 0 group stage win over Angola. He is a hard tackler and is also blessed with both short and long rage vision. He is the engine room of the team and says John Obi Mikel is his role model.

Tijani is an armor tank, but this tank is still under construction. Coupled with the caliber of midfielders in the Super Eagles right now (Mikel, Ndidi, Etebi, Iwobi etc), he faces an uphill task if given the nod.

Akin Amoo

Akin is an exceptionally talented footballer whose potentials the world is yet to see. Nicknamed the “little Messi” and just like the real Messi he can singlehandedly win a match for you if he wants to. He was named the MVP in Eaglets’ 5-4 victory over host Tanzania. He is left footed but can operate from both sides of the wing. Fans in Tanzania couldn't have enough of him, he was greatly hampered by injury.

If given the nod he will probably set his mind on ridiculing the big boys, this will obviously have consequences.

Wisdom Ubani

Nicknamed the beast, Ubani packs in him a combination of power, speed and skills. There was hardly any opposing defense he did not dominant in Tanzania. He can do incredible things at a high speed and he is a constant menace for defenders. A free-kick specialist, top scorer for the Eaglets in Tanzania, he reminds me of former Inter Milan striker, Adriano, but he lacks the precision of the Brazilian. If Ubani had converted half of the chances that came his way at AFCON, Nigeria would probably have emerged champion. Would like to see Super Eagles defenders cope under constant pressure from the beast.

Playing with the Super Eagles could also enhance his confidence ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

John Amah

The towering goalkeeper was the biggest miss for the Eaglets in Tanzania. He is imposing, decisive, blessed with good reflexes and above all has the heart of a lion. His best game for the Eaglets was in the WAFU B final game between Nigeria and Ghana. Apart from making several point blank saves during the game, he made the Ghanaians look ordinary in the penalty shootout.

Rohr has already revealed he is monitoring the Lagos based player, but it remains to be seen if he is ready to step into big time football at the tender age of 16.

Who should Rohr pick?

Feel free to add your nominations.