The three-time African champions failed to beat the Indomitable Lions across two matches in June to raise doubts about the team’s readiness for the Mundial’s qualifying series
The Super Eagles kick off their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in September, and the team’s handler Gernot Rohr is convinced that his side will be ready for the challenges ahead.
The Nigerian national team, weakened by the absence of regulars, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, failed to impress over two international friendly games against Cameroon in Austria, losing the first by the narrowest of margins before drawing the other.
More will be expected from the former continental champions when tackling Cape Verde, Liberia, and the Central African Republic for the sole World Cup qualifying ticket in Group C.
The Super Eagles host Liberia on matchday one on the last day in August before making a potentially tricky trip to Cape Verde four days later.
The Cape Verdeans are the last team to beat Cameroon, handing the Indomitable Lions a 3-1 thrashing on the synthetic pitch of the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia back in March.
Rohr admits that the Super Eagles are aware of the dangers posed by the tiny African nation on their home soil.
But the Franco-German coach is confident that, with the return of his established stars, the Super Eagles will be ready to take on any foes standing in their way to another World Cup appearance.
“I think we’ll be ready in September for our world cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde,” Rohr told the media
“At the beginning of September, we only have a few days to prepare, and four days later, we have to play in Cape Verde.
“The two first matches are very, very important. When you saw the result of Cape Verde against Cameroon, they beat them 3-1 on their synthetic pitch; we know already that it’ll be a very difficult match.”
With Rohr in charge, Nigeria have qualified for each of the last three major tournaments – 2019, 2021 Afcons, and the 2018 World Cup – with a game to spare.
This post was last modified on June 9, 2021 3:35 pm
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Rohr is not the right man for the super eagles job. He should be sacked.
Give us some technical reason and who should replace him, if you are to suggest!!!
NFF should assist Samson Siasia and help him out of his problem with Fifa and bring him to the National team as head coach.
A very good coach like Siasia will bring out the best from this present players including the NPFL.
And believe me....Nigeria will get to finals in the World Cup.
It may sound funny to some...but it's just how it should be if they really Know.
Which siasia?Same man who could not qualify us for again.
Afcon****
Rohr has his problems: he's deficient at match reading and is therefore weak in decision making on matchdays, be that as it may, he remains our best option for now, Nigerian local coaches are probably too biased and majority of them are much more technically deficient to lead a team as big as Super Eagles based on their current standards, let Rohr stay, even if we qualify for the mundial Rohr definitely cant get us past the 2nd round based on depth and quality he currently parade on our team and his technical ability.