Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong says the team can now head to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in buoyant mood following a period of
unbeaten run, reports Completesports.com.
Gernot Rohr’s men are unbeaten in their last eight games since they suffered a 2-1 loss to Argentina in their last group game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. They earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against hosts Egypt in a friendly match on Tuesday to extend the unbeaten run.
The Super Eagles, three-time winners of the competition, will be among the favourites to cart home the trophy in Egypt this summer despite not attending the last two editions of the AFCON.
And Troost-Ekong who is particularly delighted at how the new players have acquainted well in the team is confident they will have a good outing at the AFCON.
Also Read: Onuachu: My Goal Vs Egypt Came From Rohr’s Tactics; I’ll Work Harder To Merit AFCON Spot
“It was a great outing for some of the new boys as well. It was great to see Paul [Onuachu] play his first game and the goal that he scored,” Troost-Ekong who plays for Italian club Udinese was quoted by Kingfut.com.
“Egypt was of course a difficult team, one of the favourites for the AFCON, so for us it was a great test and great preparation for the AFCON that’s coming now. But of course, we can’t just get lesser confidence from this kind of game.”
“I think we’ve been doing well in the last months – in the last nine months, I think we’ve been unbeaten which is a good run up to the AFCON. It’s going to be difficult as well when Egypt have Salah back but hopefully by then we’ll have Musa back as well, [Samuel] Kalu, Kelechi [Iheanacho], maybe [John Obi] Mikel as well, so some of the guys that have been missing will be available for the AFCON.
“All in all, it’s a positive international break for us. Two games, two wins and we’re looking forward to the summer now.”
By Adeboye Amosu
1 Comment
This is very interesting between coach Rohr and his players. The players are ready but the coach is not ready this led to a mind game the coach was talking about. Very similar to the world cup scenario, when our players were ready to go and the manager wasn’t ready. Here is what Ekong said below
“Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong says the team can now head to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in buoyant mood”
I said it few days ago, Mikel doesn’t deserves to be treated this way and other senior players. Is that what the coach Rohr will do for the team? Most especially “captain Mikel”.
The team is winning no doubt but Afcon is a tournament not qualifiers or friendly matches. The team needs experience players.
Ekong also said
“It’s going to be difficult as well when Egypt have Salah back but hopefully by then we’ll have Musa back as well, [Samuel] Kalu, Kelechi [Iheanacho], “maybe” [John Obi] Mikel as well”
Nonetheless, coach Rohr should have asked from coach José Mourinho what happened to him at Manchester united before fighting his key players.
The coach is doing this in a unique way. If you don’t pay attention to situation you won’t know. The statement above is true and real.
If Mikel is not included in the Afcon list, Mr. Rohr should be ready for the worst sooner or later. Same thing has happened to coach Mourinho and Eagles former coach, late Keshi.
I am expecting NFF to stepped in but it seems like they don’t care. As long as Super Eagles is winning, they are satisfied. Is that enough? I don’t think so.
Having said that, unity is very important in the team and by the time the rest of the players finished with the coach Rohr and the NFF members, it will be too late.
Oga Rohr should ask Mr. Amaju the NFF president and some of the Super Eagles players, I am pretty sure that Mr. president would have a lot to say. The video still on YouTube till tomorrow. So, be careful coach. We are watching. God bless Nigeria!!!