The senior national team coach of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says he now understands how to properly handle the senior national team of Nigeria for better results even in the face of difficulties.
Nigeria might seal a place in the final knock out round for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers if they win their next set of games which is the back to back games against Central Africa Republic (CAR).
Speaking on the difficulties of picking a win against Cape Verde due to the absence of several players, Rohr said it was possible to a claim a 2-1 without as many as ten regulars because he now understand the players better.
Under pressure to lift the next Africa Cup of Nations in January next year with many saying it will be his major achievement to justify his lengthy tenure with the team, the coach said unlike the past, the AFCON is now harder to win following the increase in the number of teams at the tournament.
“We saw when we had to replace 10 players because of the UK, the replacements and the players who were joining us had also a very good level.
“We grew together and the young team won a bronze medal in the last Afcon, with much more teams [competing] than in the past. In the past only 16 teams took part now it is 24 so it is much more difficult to win a medal with so many teams.”
