Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr claims Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu lacked family support during his struggles with a recurring thigh problem which kept him out of action for weeks.
Kalu’s campaign has been hampered by setbacks but the 23-year-old still made a contribution of four goals and an assist in 20 Ligue 1 matches for the Girondins.
Since the turn of the year, Kalu has suffered the thigh injury three times having first picked up the problem last October.
Having missed the Super Eagles’ last five matches, Rohr assessed Kalu’s season in France and he also praised him for the quality he adds to his team.
“We had invited him for Nigeria’s last game, and the Girondins told us no, that they needed him to save themselves,” Rohr was quoted by Girondins 4 ever.
“And then he got hurt. They finally sent him to Nigeria anyway, so it was kind of weird. Still, the boy has a lot of injuries this year, I hope he is well supervised on all levels, mentally, medically and sportingly.
“Every time he plays with me he’s good, but it’s true that this season has been rotten with injuries. I hope he can help the Girondins for the end of the season. I rely on him a lot.
“We communicate quite often. He’s sorry. He was also a bit lonely without his family in Bordeaux. He lacked a little family support. But it’s going to get better and better.”
However, it remains to be seen if Kalu would be declared fit for the Girondins’ crucial match at Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday.
