WCQ: Eagles will avoid Algeria’s mistake against Zambia -Rohr

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has stated that his players will not make the mistake Algeria made by underrating Zambia in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Algeria, who alongside Cameroon are already out of the race to the World Cup next summer, were beaten home and away by the Chipolopolo in a double header last month.

The Eagles, topping the Group B table on 10 points, will face Zambia, second in the group on seven points, in a crucial clash in Uyo this Saturday.

But Rohr, in an interview with cafonline.com, admitted that the Zambians are a good team and hopes his side are able to grab a win even as it will be difficult to predict the scoreline.

“I can’t predict the scoreline against Zambia because it would not be an easy match,” the 64-year-old German said.

“Zambia can be dangerous because they also have a good team; I don’t think it would be a 4-0 win for us but the most important thing for us is to win even if it’s by one or two goal difference..

“I have seen a lot of videos of the Zambian team and I must confess they are a very good side much better than the team we played last October, but we are not afraid.

Read Also: Messi nets twice as Barca thump Las Palmas in closed-door tie

“We only have to give them respect, but we won’t make the mistake Algeria made by underrating Zambia. They have quick strikers, but we shall be ready for them.

“We are going to show a good fighting spirit; we want to go to Russia to show the world that we are very good team with a good fighting spirit.

“In this game against Zambia, the players would show what they can do defensively and offensively. Our goal is to win the game and there is no doubt about that. It’s a good situation for us because even a draw is still okay, but we want to win.

“Zambia must win to have a chance of going to Russia; and I think they are in the same situation like Cameroon who wanted to win in Uyo but we punished them with our counter attacks. We shall see what they want to do, but by God’s grace, we shall win this game.”

Nigeria will seal their place in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup in Russia if the come out on top this weekend, and Rohr admits he is excited being the Head Coach of the team, stressing that he would love to lead them to the global tournament next year.

“I’m happy to be the head of this group of players and in general, everyone has realised that we have a fantastic goal of going to the World Cup in Russia; and everybody is happy being part of the team. It would be great to lead Nigeria to the World Cup in Russia, “‎ he said.

The Eagles will be having their first training session ahead of the crucial clash on Tuesday evening.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now