Something tells me that Gernot Rohr's legacy as the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria will last for at least 10 years after the German eventually sees out his contract.
This realisation dawned on me as I celebrated the goal scored by Noah Serenren Bazee who at the ripe age of 22 will still be available for Super Eagles selection for the next 10 years if he puts misfortune of injuries behind him and maintains a consistently high level of performance, focus and application.
This fabulous forward player is often no longer the first set of names that readily come to the mouth of Super Eagles fans when mentioning in rapt dual nationality players now at our disposal - thanks to Rohr. These days, it is either Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman or Ehizibue that are within our mental grasp. Yet, Noah Bazee is reminding us verbally and on the pitch with scintillating performances such as today that he remains available for selection and ready to inject some German efficiency into the Super Eagles machine.
"I am still in contact with Gernot Rohr," Noah was quoted as saying just 4 months before the current global pandemic. "The Africa Cup of Nations showed the great potential there is in the team. If I stay healthy and play consistent games, I’m sure I’ll get a new invitation.” End of quote.
And I am sure I speak for a lot of well meaning Super Eagles fans when I say, with the sort of performances he showed today, we are equally sure that Noah will be invited soon enough to continue to add poise, polish, panache and purpose to this new-look Super Eagles side.
Noah, who was introduced in 59 minutes today, had a total of 17 deft touches with 4 accurate passes and 1 effort on target. His goal today was a beauty and he will be hoping for more of that.
Noah's season has only just started to pick up having been unused in 10 out of 14 games since July 2019. He has however now scored 1 goal in 2 appearances which should bode well for his chances to see more games as the season progresses.
A winger who can be deadly from anywhere in the final third, Super Eagles fans will be hoping and praying that things continue to look up for Noah from here so that he can add his quota to Nigeria's efforts of dominating the landscape of African Football for many months to come.