Gernot Rohr reacts to Super Eagles’ friendly draw with DR Congo

Gernot Rohr, Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, has expressed satisfaction over his team’s performance in their 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in an international friendly in Port-Harcourt on Monday.

The Eagles lined up a fairly strong squad, which included debutants Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo and Junior Lokosa, against the visiting Leopards who held Nigeria with a 78th-minute converted penalty, cancelling William Troost-Ekong’s 15th-minute opener.

Rohr, who will be leading the Super Eagles to their 6th FIFA World Cup appearance in Russia next month, said the Congo game was a good test for his side despite the result.

“The game was a good test for the players particularly those who we didn’t know very well,” the Franco-German coach said after the match.

“I’m satisfied with the performance of Simy [Nwankwo]. He is a natural centre forward. He didn’t have a profile until we found him.

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“The young players played very well, we scored a wonderful goal. We could have scored more but in the end we conceded a penalty.

“It was a very good match because we played against a very good team from Congo. They came with a great squad.”

The Eagles are billed to face the Three Lions of England in another pre-World Cup friendly this Saturday, and Rohr has promised that the team will be in full strenght as more regular players like captain John Mikel Obi and striker Odion Ighalo will be fielded.

“We will have a full complement of our team with Victor Moses, Ighalo and Mikel. I think the team will be better than what we saw against Congo when we play on Saturday (against England),” he said.

Rohr’s men are expected to arrive Abuja today (Tuesday) where they will take part in a seminar on wealth creation, investment opportunities and portfolio management at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel later in the day.

They will also meet with President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) later on Tuesday evening.

The team will then set out for England on Wednesday to begin preparations ahead of the high profile friendly of Saturday.

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