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2018 World Cup: Rohr upbeat about Super Eagles chances

By Daily Sports on February 17, 2017

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is optimistic that his team can go all the way and qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia despite missing the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Nigeria’s Group B rivals went all the way to win the trophy defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final in Libreville.

The Indomitable Lions will face Nigeria back-to-back when the World Cup qualifiers resume in August. The Super Eagles will welcome the new African champions to Uyo before another meeting between the two sides in Limbe, four days after the clash in Uyo.

Nigeria sit on top of the group with maximum points after two match days and will need to win just two games to gain an unassailable lead in the group and a ticket to Russia 2018.

Rohr feels Nigeria is in a good stead to qualify but will have to scale the Cameroonian hurdle first.

“Winning our first two matches was a great start, but we will not play again until the end of August and early September when we face Cameroon,” Rohr said in an interview with fifa.com

“They, of course, are African champions and will be highly motivated to take the form from Gabon into the World Cup qualifiers.

“I do not get carried away. It is a very tough group and nothing has been decided. But I admit that, at the moment, we have a small advantage and if we win our two matches at home against Cameroon and Zambia, we will qualify.” he added.

Rohr also revealed that Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations necessitated his calling up younger players into the squad but has not closed the door to other players whom he feels can add value to the team.

“As the team and the country had been deeply affected by failing to qualify for the finals in Gabon, I wanted to bring in some younger players into the squad,” Rohr said.

This, of course, is without closing the door on anyone,” he added. (© supersport.com)

•Photo shows Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 17, 2017