Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has given his take on the Super Eagles 1-0 win over Ivory Coast at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
The host were put to the sword by a goal from the spot in the 55th minute expertly converted by William Troost-Ekong following a foul on Victor Osimhen in the box.
Super Eagles are now one foot in the round of 16 ahead of their final group game against Guinea-Bissau, where a draw will be okay for them to progress. Ivory Coast on the other hand will take on group leaders Equatorial Guinea in their final group game.
Reacting to the win by the Super Eagles, Rohr said the coach of the Nigerian team got his tactics spot on, and the players responded to the task with a very good performance.
“Very nice win for Nigeria against Ivory Coast, who were not in the game at all. A very good organization 5-4-1 was decisive because you didn’t give the attackers of Ivory Coast any space. The five defenders of Nigeria led by the three centre backs did a good job”, he told veteran Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwuna after the game.
“In the midfield Alex Iwobi did very well with Onyeka and on both sides is Chukwueze and Lookman, they came back to help and to be in a best offensive winger when Nigeria attacks.
“It’s a very good result and I am happy for my former players, they have been criticized a lot in the past and they answered with this big match against the host country”.
He however warned them not to rest on their oars after this win reminding them of the 2021 AFCON, where they won all of their group games only to crash out in the round of 16 0-1 against Tunisia.
“But they have to be careful and still be modest in their minds and be humble because in the last AFCON they won three games in the group and then it was finished”, he advised.
“Each match is very important but now they can say they have already qualified and with the players on the bench also. I was happy for Chukwueze because he deserves to start the match and Osimhen who always score a goal. I am happy for my Nigerian friend”, he rounded up saying.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
