Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has lavished praises on two new Super Eagles’ players, Josh Maja and Samuel Kalu, who both play for Bordeaux, a French Ligue One club.

The Franco-German coach paid a surprise visit to both players in France, ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifier march against Sierra Leone in March.

Maja has scored seven (7) times and has delivered three (3) assists for Bordeaux this season, while Kalu has played only 36 minutes this season for the club. But Rohr, who also played for the same French club from the late 70s to the late 80s and equally managed the side in the 90s, believes that the two Super Eagles’ stars can shine in the French league and also as members of the Super Eagles.

In an interview with RIG, 90.7 FM, Bordeaux, Rohr said:

Samuel Kalu is a fast winger, dribbler who can easily eliminate any opponent. He can play on the right, he can play on the left, he is a real winger who can help a little behind obviously like any winger should do in the defensive phase.

While discussing Kalu’s strengths, Rohr said:

His strengths are dribbling, speed, shots on goal. He can score nice goals as he has done with us, especially against Benin .

He gave us the victory from the left , by shooting a magnificent ball. He has a very pleasant character in a group.

Furthermore, Rohr praised Maja’s attacking qualities, and labelled him a “real goalscorer” and said he will invite him (Maja) to the Super Eagles, if he maintains his form.

It’s the same for Josh Maja, a very young player, who comes from England and who we already had in our scouting list, when he signed for Girondins.

He hinted at his talent several times, he joined us for the match in Ukraine. Everything obviously depends on the playing time he can have, he is a real goalscorer.

He is a scorer who is also technical, who certainly has a great future too, in a style of speed, of movement. Very good mentality too .

I saw them both at the Haillan training center, and it’s very nice to have good players like that at the Girondins, added Rohr.

Confidence in themselves is important, but also the confidence of the staff.

When a player feels that a coach appreciates him, that he wants to help him, that he counts on him, etc, it gives him a boost.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.