Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr can easily pass as the coach who successfully convinced several players born abroad to commit to playing for Nigeria.
Rohr was very active in that aspect with the likes of Cyriel Dessers, Bryan Idowu, Tyronne Ebuehi, Kevin Akpoguma, Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo all born abroad coming into the team during his tenure.
However he didn’t succeed with all the players he approached to play for Nigeria as some wanted more time to mull over the decision but that wasn’t the case with new Ajax signing Bassey.
Bassey maiden call up came under Gernot Rohr but he didn’t get to play. However Rohr said he holds the defender in high esteem and has already detailed a path for him to be in the team before his sack as coach last December.
*With Bassey. It was very easy. I told him how we intend to ease him into the set up and he accepted. A member of the NFF technical department Paul (Aigbogun) set up my meeting with him after a detailed report on him. I am not surprised he has moved to Ajax”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.