Gernot Rohr says the Super Eagles are not 100 per cent fit, but are ready to confront their AFCON 2019 first Group B opponent, the Swallows of Burundi, with respect on Saturday Completesports.com reports.
The three-time African champions will begin their quest for a fourth AFCON title against the debutants at the Alexandria Stadium. The kick-off is 6pm Nigerian time on Saturday.
The Swallows who were unbeaten in the qualifiers, have a number of big names in their squad, with the duo of Saido Berahino and Fiston Abdoul-Razak the most prominent amongst them.
The Super Eagles are one of the favourites to win the title and will parade some of the best talents on the continent in the competition.
But despite his side’s superiority in terms of playing personnel and technical ability, Rohr states that they will be humble against the Burundians.
“We prepare to face them with humility because they were unbeaten in the qualifiers. It’s difficult because all the big countries are here , but I believe the competition will be wonderful with passionate fans and nice pitches,” Rohr stated during his interaction with the media at the Alexandria Stadium on Friday.
The German-born tactician also provides update on the injury situation in camp ahead of the game.
“Everyone isn’t fit. Four or five players missed one week of training and have only trained for a few days. We are not in the best shape, but we don’t complain. The team have solidarity, perhaps even too much solidarity. But we will be ready; the fittest one will play tomorrow.
“We’re used to the pressure and we are cool. We are happy to start this competition and we have been together for three weeks. The weather is a bit different from what we are used to in Nigeria, and it affected us because half the team fell sick, but now only one player is sick.”
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Irrespective of the circumstances we expect your team to win this one.
Apparently,we have a rich squad,even in the absence of a couple of key players to illness you are still expected to go past the Burundians who are no match to Nigeria despite their recent form.
No excuses pls though I have the feeling you are playing mind game. You guys are ready no doubt. My prediction Nigeria 3 Burundi 0.
Mind game or no mind game this man should be sack already. His negativity is gonna affect the boys. A word is enough for the wise.
Rohr is beginning to look like d wrong manager for d super eagles. Always looking for excuses. At world cup, other teams had world class midfielders n we don’t. Now d the team is not in their best shape. Burundi definitely not the team to cause Nigeria sleepless nights. If it’s Cameron, Ghana, cote d’Ivoire etc we will manage to listen. Rohr better behave or f,,k off. He should borrow a leaf from Dennerby who despite losing 8 nil to France in a friendly was able to motivate the girls to almost pull a draw with same french team in front of their massive home support.
We are tired of excuses.
Omo 9ija nwannem come hear this man oo,he is not yet ready after a month of preparation haa,
Don’t mind the coach. He wants Omo9ja to fire on all cylinders now.
Not in good shape after boat ride and dancing shaku shaku everyday, is Rohr talking about this particular super Eagles team or another team?Because this team is loaded and ready for any team, so guys calm down Rohr is just trying to lower the fans expectations, I’m sure this team will win it all Guys u can put this on me, this team will win it all we ve the best coach, best goalkeepers, best midfielders, best strikers, trust me fellas this baby is coming home this year.
id you say best goalkeepers?
Mr Rohr is well known for his lame excuses. We all hope his boys will deliver when it matters most or else he should be fired immediately after Afcon 2019
Let me warn oga Rohr not to try 352 formation again against African oppositions,I don’t see any team in Africa currently with better midfield than us, so I see no reason why we should play defensive againstAfrican teams. I reviewed Nigeria vs south Africa game and I’m not happy that we are defending against them. He should rather stick to 4231.
I just want to hope that this is just mind game ohherwise you are not a coach. After a month you still say we are not ready aaah abomination oh . This coach is not thé type of mourihno who really knows how to galvanise player. Pleaz we dont want to hear your song again My young team’´ We are Naija thé giant of africa we should prove that on thé pitch with Naija Spirit. futball belongs to young people not thé old people you should know that GR. Our players are the best in Africa and they will prove it. Young team. Young team. Nonsense
we are tired of this nonsense talk always the same young team young team and is almost affect our players. we want you to galvanise to motivate our players and the will be much more strong again instead of kill their spirit and strength pleaz stop this it is not good. you Naija players are the best one in Africa we should control all our game bkoz we are the best strong Naija inchallah
Why are you guys worked up? There are just three results in a game. Win. Loss. Draw. There is just one final winner. You can do all the playing in the field and loss. You can do all the defending only and win when your ball possession is 35%-65%. What will be will be. At least we have 3 matches to play. It can be up to 4,5,6 matches. We can win. We can loss. Talk or no talk, what will be will be.
Mad man you’ve been coaching the super eagles for three years and yet they are not fit and you are not even ashamed to say it cause u are aLways looking for excuses. Now this time its not young team aGain now they are not fit. In short ehhn if na me be nff president ehhn I for don sack u since make u get out of that place cus u nor know anything for head and you nor worth to be super eagles coach
Na all dis 1 na im make u nova win anything trophy for your whole entire career as a coach and the 2 clubs and four african countries when u don only coach for your career them sack u harshly make u get out because of your empty head and consecutive filmsy excuses.
So to conclude win the afcon or get sacked mr rohr or roa or whatever u call yourself
PLeaz brothers help me who is adjoint coach of super eagles after coach Salisu Yusuf was suspended. bkoz i don’t like the way coach Rohr always down the spirit of our players with his speech. Listen all his songs ´´ young team’´ we don’t hav stars or great players ´´ before all tournament now the new song non they are not fit ´´ aaah this coach want to kill our spirit
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