Victor Agali appointed as Super Eagles scout with mandate to run the rule on strikers

FORMER Super Eagles striker Victor Agali has been appointed as a team scout by head coach Gernot Rohr who has tasked him with the duty of checking out the numerous Nigerian attackers playing with a view to ascertaining their form.

Yesterday, Mr Rohr appointed Agali as one of his scouts with a mandate to help the technical crew in the area of running the rule on strikers who can add to the value to the team. So far Odion Ighalo is the only major striker the team has who can play the targetman role and Mr Rohr has asked Agali to look at other possible alternatives.

Agali will run the rule on strikers who can be an option for the team properly as he was one during his playing days and he also understands the qualities Mr Rohr loves in his forwards as he played under him at French Ligue 1 side Nice. Already a list of strikers under consideration has been drawn up and all Agali will do is to review their performance and pick the ones who are good enough to be given a call up to the team ahead of the Eagles' friendly games next year.

In March, Nigeria will play two friendly matches during the Fifa window that lasts from the 22nd to the 28th in what will be the last get-together before the end of the season. This may be the final opportunity for Mr Rohr to look at new players before the World Cup camp opens in May, so he will be keen to check out several strikers.

Among the players said to be on his radar are Olanrewaju Kayode, Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Osimhen and it is expected that Agali will monitor their progress between now and March. According to Mr Rohr, Agali’s contribution to the campaign was priceless, hence his decision to retain him for the World Cup.

Agali worked with Rohr throughout the qualifiers in the capacity of scouting opposition teams and helping identify Nigerian players abroad. Agali played under Rohr at French side OGC Nice in the 2004-2005 season, scoring six goals in 30 appearances.