By Daily Sports on September 17, 2016

Coach Gernot Rohr has personally phoned up the players to check up on them ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.

Zambia will welcome Nigeria to Ndola on October 9 to kick off the mini-league qualifying series for Russia 2018.

“Rohr has been in touch with the players, checking up on them and encouraging them ahead of the World Cup showdown in Zambia next month,” a top official informed.

“He wishes to raise their confidence and self-esteem by this personal contact.”

Rohr will announce his squad for the Zambia showdown in the new week.

The experienced Franco-German coach won his first match in charge of the Eagles earlier this month when Tanzania fell 1-0 in Uyo.

He has harped on the need for the players to have self-belief after the failure of the country to qualify for two straight AFCONs.

“The confidence has not been there because the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but when results start to come, the confidence will return,” he said.

“It is a difficult challenge (to qualify for the World Cup). Nigeria are not the favourites after we did not qualify for the last two AFCONs, but we hope to be at the World Cup.”

He has hinted on a recall for both Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and Portugal-based Oghenekaro Etebo after both players missed the Tanzania game due to injuries.

But while Iwobi is back in full action, Etebo has suffered yet another injury setback in Portugal. (NAN)

•Photo shows Ogenyi Onazi

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 17, 2016

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