By Daily Sports on November 15, 2016
Gernot Rohr has expressed satisfaction with his Nigeria defence for keeping Algeria's dreaded front men from scoring in Saturday's 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying match.
Rohr reflected on a game that saw the Super Eagles dug deep to beat Algeria 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Captain Mikel John Obi scored in the first half with Victor Moses netting a brace to render Nabil Bentaleb’s long-range stunner academic as Nigeria won successive games to remain on top of Group B with maximum points.
Rohr revealed that things were complicated in the second half but praised his charges for staying calm in the face of a seemingly unending Algerian onslaught.
“We had to defend well. We suffered so much in the beginning of the second half (especially) after Algeria scored.
“But we kept cool heads and none of my players were nervous; they were really professional which led to our third goal.
“The players who came on (as substitutes) in the second half brought in something (positive) and helped us with counter-attacks and that led to our third goal.
“We defended well and had a good organisation on (Riyad) Mahrez and (Islam) Slimani; everyone knows (these two) are very dangerous players,” Rohr said.
The win sees Nigeria remain at the summit of Group B with six points from their opening two games.
Nigeria’s cause to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals was also helped on Saturday when the other game in the group between Cameroon and Zambia in Limbe finished in a 1-1 draw.
It means that Nigeria is now four points clear of second-placed Cameroon with four round of matches to go but Rohr says everyone must stay calm if set objectives are to be met.
“I have told the players that it (the qualification race to Russia) is not finished; there is still a long way to go.
“There are still another 12 points (to fight for). We have started well by winning our first two matches.
“We still have another four games to play and these are extremely difficult games.
“We still have to go to Algeria and Cameroon and Zambia will also come to our place. These are extremely difficult games,” he said.
Nigeria’s next game in 2018 World Cup qualifying is nine months away when they face Cameroon at home on August 28. (supersport.com)
•Photo shows Gernot Rohr
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 14, 2016
You may also like...
D'Tigers crash out of Rio 2016 Olympics
Siasia, players declare ‘war’ on Egypt, as Eagles...
Salah, van Dijk on target as Liverpool go...
Nigeria/ Ghana W/C Playoff: Okumagba Appeals for Clam...
Super Eagles Climb Up In Fifa Ranking
Hazard: My First Season At Real Madrid Is...

Khan warns Paul ahead ‘life-threatening’ Joshua fight
Emery's perseverance & belief key to Villa resurgence
Agu backs Okoye for Eagles No. 1 spot
PFL contract ends soon - Ngannou
'No-one downing tools' - Alonso's stay of execution despite loss to Man City
Zaha in Ivory Coast Afcon squad but Adingra left out
UCL: Mbappé doubtful for Manchester City clash after missing training
'Give Alonso time' - but Man City visit could be pivotal
Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award
Son, Simons and mini Spurs revival lift Frank's spirits
Finidi challenges Rivers United players’ mentality
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,402 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,646 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,587 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,219 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,194 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,105 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,950 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,534 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,675 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,224 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,618 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,089 views)