Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has registered his displeasure against the English Premier League restriction of players from traveling to certain countries classified as red zone over Covid-19 fears saying this development will tarnish the integrity of the World Cup qualifiers.

Rohr named his squad for Nigeria’s opening two World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde this week but was forced to name an additional six players as a backup for the second game.

Eight of the players in the squad play in England and Scotland, and automatically will be out of the second game at Cape Verde, a country that falls under the UK’s “red zone” COVID infection classification.

The Super Eagles gaffer told ESPN the decision was tough to swallow, especially after the concessions that were made during the Euros.

“It is difficult to understand why England is giving the exception to the Euro but not for the other World Cup games,” he said.

“They could do everything for the Euro where England participated but nothing for the World Cup players. It is very important for each country who has ambitions to qualify, and this kind of decision will tarnish the competition.”

For the Super Eagles, this means William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, and Oghenekaro Etebo will all not be available for the trip away to Cape Verde.

That is one hundred percent of Nigeria’s starting midfield, fifty percent of the starting back four, and a third of his front three.

Rohr will essentially be preparing for the second game with almost an entirely different team from the one that will play against Liberia.

He added: “We are preparing the team as best as possible, but we will not have these players who are some of our best players.

“All our midfielders will not be there. Our central defense also will not be there, and our good striker Kelechi will also not be there. So, it will not be easy against a very difficult team like Cape Verde.”

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However, to make up for the absentees, Rohr has called up seven others as back up including FC Lorient’s Terem Moffi, CSSKA Moscow’s Chidera Ejuke, and the Italy-based duo of Tyronne Ebuehi and Kingsley Michael.

Meanwhile, in another administrative disappointment, CAF has approved 5000 spectators at the Teslim Balogun Stadium for the game on September 3, way down from the 12 000 requested by the NFF.