‘Win must be won’ – Gernot Rohr gives rally cry to Super Eagles ahead of clash with Wild Beasts
The German tactician was taken aback after his men fell to the Continental Minnows on Thursday, but he expects better when the two sides meet on Sunday.
Head coach Gernot Rohr revealed that the Super Eagles players understand the importance of beating the Central African Republic and getting all three points in their scheduled fourth day clash at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon. .
124th-ranked CAR surprised the footballing world on October 3 by beating three-time African champion Nigeria 1-0 in Lagos, thanks to Karl Namnganda’s effort in the 90th minute.
The Fauves’ victory was aided by many disappointing performances from Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, among others, and an early injury from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Rohr and the Super Eagles arrived in Douala on Saturday morning and trained later in the day with the team ready to restore the beaten honor.
After the session, the German gaffer revealed that he would rely on most of the players who started the matchday three clash against the Wild Beasts.
Rohr maintains he won’t change the squad much, hinting at just two changes to his last starting XI.
However, he expressed confidence that the second leg offers the Super Eagles the chance to demand their flesh pound and get their qualifying campaign back on track.
“We have to make a result,” Rohr told the Super Eagles media team.
“Everyone knows that now we have to make this victory. We didn’t do it the other day. Three days later, we are here now, have the opportunity to do a good rehabilitation.
“That’s why the team won’t change so much. We will change a little but not too much, bring two or three new players to the team, but the collective will be very strong, I hope.
“And tomorrow in this empty stadium, we also need good communication between us, so we are very confident that tomorrow will be a good game.”
A victory for Nigeria will allow the Kings of Afcon 2013 to retain first place in Group C with nine points in four games, regardless of the outcome of the other group game between Cape Verde Islands and Liberia. .