By Ibrahim Taiwo on November 25, 2018

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has spoken about his plans for the 2019 African Cup of Nation (AFCON), disclosing that he does not only want to qualify Nigeria for the tournament but also wants to top the group.

“We don’t just want to qualify for the AFCON, we want to finish top of our league (table). We need to win against Seychelles to achieve that,” Rohr said while addressing journalists on Friday at the Peak Breakfast show hosted by HotSports TV.

“We still have a lot of work to do. We’ve really improved from the point I took over the Super Eagles. The joy to play good football, defend and score goals has now improved. We make fewer mistakes now as a team.

“We will play a lot of friendly matches to prepare the team,” the German gaffer said.

Rohr also clarified the reports that Mikel Obi has played his last match for Nigeria after Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze was given the number 10 Jersey against Uganda.

“That (Samuel) Chukwueze wore the number 10 jersey against Uganda doesn’t translate to being a replacement for Mikel. It’s just a jersey number he used,” Rohr explained.

“Mikel remains in our plans and we all know why he has been out of the team. Mikel Obi will decide if he wants to play at AFCON 2019. He was omitted because of fitness issues, but we will look at his performance before the tournament.

“After the FIFA World Cup in Russia Obi Mikel wanted to take a break. He told me he needed rest and motivation. When he is ready, he will be back. Mikel is a fantastic captain.”

Rohr also explained why he has preferred Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux ahead of Simon Moses

“I know Kalu Samuel very well. We had a similar player in Simon Moses, but who wasn’t in such a good physical condition. Kalu is good going forward & also a good defender, so we needed to play him in that role,” he said.

On Victor Moses’ retirement from the national team at the age of 27, Rohr confirmed that the Chelsea winger told him after the World Cup that he was retiring and that he tried to convince him but did not succeed.

Rohr also spoke glowingly about the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players.

“We have already called up a lot of local players, but many of them end up going to Europe. Sometimes I feel like agents just want to bring them to the national team to make it easier to sell them,” he stated.

“I love local players. I want players in the Nigeria Professional Football League to play in the Super Eagles, but these local players need good infrastructure to play.

“We’ve invited 20 local players to Super Eagles since I became a coach. Buts it’s difficult to invite them because they don’t play often and Nigerian clubs don’t have the infrastructure.”

Rohr refused to promise that the Super Eagles will win the 2019 AFCON, saying that they will take it a step at a time.

The German tactician hopes that the Super Eagles will be able to return to play in Lagos someday.

•Photo shows Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 24, 2018

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