Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr says Friday’s international friendly against Algeria is not about revenge but a test game ahead of the 2021 AFCON and 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Eagles and reigning African champions Algeria will rekindle their rivalry when they take on each other in a friendly in Austria.
In their last encounter, Algeria edged the Eagles 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2019 AFCON thanks to a late Riyad Mahrez free-kick.
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And speaking in his pre-match press conference, Rohr stated the game is an opportunity to assess the new players in the Eagles.
“It’s a test game, we want to see our new players. The objective is to prepare for AFCON and the World Cup.”
However, Rohr said it would be nice to end Algeria’s 18-game unbeaten run.
“Algeria are unbeaten in 18 games, we want to stop them, we hope so. They are a strong team in Africa, the champions, it will be a big test for us.”
On the absence of Victor Osimhen, Rohr said he will be missed.
“He is our leader in the attack, he has been doing well, we will miss him but of course we have to organize because this can happen in the tournament. We have a lot of strikers in the squad. We have to handle the situation.”
Commenting further on the new players he added:”I want to see our new players, I want to see good football. The two games will be interesting and its a good test for us.”
By James Agberebi
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COMMENTS
That’s how a good coach talks… Always keep the objective in focus, no losses, Afcon and World Cup… Small small we go reach destination!
I love this man’s mentality….
I think the right place for revenge should be at afcon….
They defeated us there.hence my main aim is to also beat them in a competitive match there….
Victory in this friendly would only pacify my anger for the moment….
That reminds me of 2000 afcon loss to cameroun….
I was satisfied in 2004 when OKOCHA & UTAKA silence ETO and his troops…
The bragging was too much….
Algerian fans are bragging too much in FB….
I pray we meet again in afcon next year and settle this thing once and for all….