Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has admitted that it would be a tough task playing the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the first World Cup qualifier, emphasising that they have quality foreign-based players.
The Franco-Germany tactician gave this indication while fielding questions at the Glass House in Abuja on Tuesday.
He however solicited for continuation of the solidarity he saw among the players in his first interaction with them would be the magic wand against Zambia, Rohr, said that winning his first game in-charge of the team would be the needed boost for him.
Asked his feeling on the victory in Akwa-Ibom last weekend, he said: “Winning the first match is very important to me. It gives me a positive feeling especially the large crowd at the stadium to watch game.”
“However, I also know that there is serious work to do considering the nature of the big games ahead of us when we travel to Zambia for the World Cup qualifier next month.”
On the players convincing him they have the quality to pick World Cup ticket, he said: “Well, with what I have seen so far, I have every reason to believe that but the best thing is to give them is the confidence to play well, score goals and win games.
“I am sure that we have a good team that go to Zambia and win the game. However, I want to appeal that we go there in solidarity. The spirit is okay in the first week and I felt it. All I want is for the spirit to continue that way.”
Rohr however picked skipper Rainford Kalaba and France-based Stoppila Sunzu as the players to watch in the World Cup qualifying tie next month.
Rohr said he has a good idea of the 2012 AFCON champions.
“They have some really good players – Kalaba is the best, he scores goals always for them and I also know Sunzu very well because he plays in France,” disclosed Rohr, when he paid a courtesy visit to the general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Nigeria open their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on October 3 at the Ndola Stadium in Zambia.
Trending
- Man steals Toyota Corolla from car shop where he works as security man
- CP trains personnel, reviews modus operandi on criminal investigation
- Customs seizes donkey bones, tramadol, others worth N3.1b
- Lawyer shot dead while alighting from car
- Prophet Ayodele to Jacob Zuma: How to avoid going to jail
- Group to FG, Labour: Approach minimum wage with caution
- New Caledonia against French neo-colonialism, by Mohammed T. Abiodun
- Domestic Violence: Lagos records 662 cases in one year – Commissioner