Gernot Rohr has stated that the Super Eagles have experienced and young players whose blend can become a winning team at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and meet the expectation to millions of Nigerians back home when the tournament ends on July 19, Completesports.com reports.
The Franco-German tactician is also looking forward to all of his players appearing fit for the Nigerian national team at the continental tourney which starts on Friday, June 21.
Nigeria will be making a return to the biennial competition after a six-year hiatus which saw them missing the last two editions in 2015 and 2017, but the West Africans are one of the favorites to win in Egypt.
“Reaching the final stages requires a number of things and we are now focusing on the opening game against Burundi,” Rohr said in a press statement.
“Our main goal is to reach the Golden Square at the very least because Nigeria has before the tournament a very good ranking in terms of international level.
“Nigeria have a mixture of experience and young players who have the will and determination to achieve the goals of the technical staff and the aspirations of the Nigerian public.
“Everyone in Nigeria is waiting for the good performances of their team and they are waiting for the trophy.”
Rohr, however, admits that the team is missing Tyronne Ebuehi.
“The team is missing a strong player, Tyronne Ebuhei who has been injured for a number of months,” he said of the defender’s absence.
“It is solvable, though, as the team has a young guard and two other goalkeepers with good experience and they showed up well during the last friendly against Senegal.”
Rohr also spoke well of 20-year-old Samuel Chukwueze who plays for Spanish side, Villareal, saying the attacker will be one of his surprises.
“The match against Senegal was good, the team did not appear to be at their best because some players were stressed, but despite that, the team showed up well and it was a good test on a good pitch.”
Rohr stressed that his focus is on the first game which is always the most importan.
He said: “We have to be ready for it and everything in the team camp is going well,” Rohr said.
By Yemi Ogunseyin
12 Comments
GR..my problem is the goal keeping Department..if u can’t find Vincent enyeama n Carl ikeme replacement…why didn’t you option for Rt.Enyeama to take over even without an active club for a year now he’s better than ur afcon 3 keepers….stop ds gambling..we for manage Austine ejide..he’s better dn uzoho n co!! good luck my beloved esgle
my brother you have said my mind joor. this coach is gambling with us in this afcon ooooo. we dont have a gaolkeeper at all…. am just hoping to the best
Have u forgotten Peter Rufai in France 98
Enyeama quited or retired from the national team, I think it about time we let him be, his done well indeed for himself and Nigeria, lets unearth someone else, i hope one of the thre goalee sellected will stand up to the task
lol i wonder y GR didn’t recall peter rufai he his still better than d three we ve now…naija my people i hail ooo @ streams
@mr Streams just imagine if Austin Ejide was between the sticks at the WCup. He’s of a different class than them all, if we put-down sentiments.
How he wud bring his vast experience and authority to bear in the team,Uzoho will also learn a whole lot from him.
Same kind of thing the currently excellent James Obiora wud have done,if he was included in this nations cup squad.
Oh I don’t know why we have quality world-class players,who are ready to “die” for the team and we ignore their heart cry.Why?
Is this issue of money changing hands people say,true?
Ejide reminds me of Ike Shorunmu,big,imposing,he reads the game well(eg with his saves) and absolute control of his goal area; yet cool and calm. I must confess that sometimes I wonder how Enyeama is better than Ejide. Such is the quality of this man and he was at this scary level,when the WCup came calling and the coaching crew sidestepped him.
Our policy on youg players is not the reason to deny Ejide,England has a similar policy and Vardy was at the WCup,besides their young players are more exposed than ours.
Ejide wud have joined Mikel in driving through the needed fighting spirit into the team,yet with a calm head.
Well,I wish Mr Rohr the best o.
Oga coach team work is only way to win a tournament,u better prepare ur team as u did against cameroon last time we played them,gud luck SE
present 3 goalkeepers are very good , expect fine performance from them . up eagles
Lol….abi oo… Even the late Rashidi Yelling self. I hail u bro Jared @Luckylee
ezenwa is one the best shot stopper in the world, but the low IQ ones alongside with dullard rohr must disagree with me.
lolz @Peter Rufai…..pls let’s also recall Best Ogedengbe LOL
I kno say na picture,but see how Iheanacho even stand for the picture above.Stand like person wey don loss.
Seriously,I hope he recovers his career,if it’s indiscipline in his personal life, I hope he changes. If na fathers house problem,I hope he overcomes. Such a beautiful talent. I used to tell people Nigeria has a better Paul Pogba in Kelechi.
I’m glad Rodgers wants to help him. I loan move has been muted. Let him go on loan and play regularly and find his footing again. That left foot,is still needed in the Super Eagles.
I wish u God’s best Kelechi. Can’t forget ur good works abeg.