Rohr unhappy as floodlight disappoints during Super Eagles friendly News

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Rohr unhappy as floodlight disappoints during Super Eagles friendly

By Daily Sports on September 1, 2016

Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr was unhappy as failing light abbreviated proceedings during Wednesday’s friendly game between his charges and Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Akwa United.

The second half of the contest lasted barely 30 minutes as stadium officials at the ‘Nest of Champions’ failed to turn on the floodlights.

The development meant the game had to be ended prematurely, something that did not go down too well with Rohr.

“The absence of the floodlights affected our play in the second half (of the game against Akwa United).

“The players started the second half very well when it was not too dark but it was very hard to play in the dark (as the game wore on).

Rohr opted to start players like Chiedozie Awaziem, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhem while the ‘big guns’ like John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo were introduced at the start of the second half.

The trainer added afterwards that he has no preferences and merely wanted to see all his players in action.

“I wanted to see all the players. For the players that started, I didn’t know them too well and that is why I wanted them to play in the first 45 minutes.

“Two of them continued after the break because we still do not have all the invited 23 players available.

“There were 20 players on Wednesday but by Thursday, we will have 23 players,” he said.

Rohr rounded off by discussing the importance of Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

The Super Eagles cannot qualify for the finals in Gabon even with a big win against the Taifa Stars but Rohr took the time to explain why the game on Saturday is still important.

“It is very important because it is the first match for us before we commence the qualifiers for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

“We will face Zambia in the next one month so this game is important to see the state and level of the players and how they react in match situations.

“The game against Akwa United was interesting because I saw something in our young players.

“It was also good to see the fans turn out to appreciate the players who won Bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” he said.

•Credit (except headline): supersport.com. Photo shows Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 1, 2016