The Super Eagles secured the AFCON 2021 ticket after defeating the Benin Republic 1-0 in Benin courtesy of a very late strike from Belgian side striker, Gents’ Paul Onuachu in a match where the Super Eagles needed just a draw to qualify.
Returning to Lagos for the final fixture against the Crocodiles of Lesotho, the Super Eagles ran out 3-0 winners after playing in Lagos for the first time in twelve years at the Teslim Balogun Stadium with goals from leading qualifiers scorer Victor Osimhen, Oghenekaro Etebo, and Paul Onuachu.
Speaking to Sports247, coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr expressed delight in winning both games without conceding a goal in the process.
“To win 3-0 is always a good result, without conceding a goal we wanted to be solid after our two games in November and now we were able to keep two clean sheets which is very interesting for the stability and balance of the team and so also for scoring three goals without setpieces,” he said.
The coach explained that Maduka Okoye and Joe Aribo were unavailable for the game against Lesotho due to stomach problems but are good now, while Aina was a little bit tired from the whole game and journey from Benin so he had to be replaced and he praised the quality of those who came in to replace them at such short notice without enough training time.
“We brought Enyimba players because I saw them play and they’re good players and Iwuala could play twice which some people were surprised when he played in the first game. The special circumstances for traveling restrictions gave us the opportunity to invite our local players and the others in the training (Adeleke and John Noble) gave us a good impression and we’ll see what will happen as these three players are very interesting to have for the CHAN team as they CHAN will soon prepare for the next CHAN AFCON. Everybody wants to see the local players but they have to show us something first in the CHAN team because it’s important to see the best players from there and give them a chance in the main team,” Rohr said on the inclusion of home-based players.
“We’re missing so many wingers, Samuel Kalu, Simon Moses, Iwobi in the first game, and Musa not playing in a club and finally he could play. He was there, he was fit, we gave him a physical test and he was good so there was no reason for him not to come in. He’s the captain of the team and he finished captain on the pitch and we also want to help him to find a good club now,” Rohr said on Musa getting game time against Lesotho.
The Super Eagles finished the AFCON qualifiers with four wins and two draws, similar results as the world cup qualifiers and Gernot Rohr was appreciative of the support of Nigerians.
“We thank Nigerians for their support even after the two draws. We have a lot of Nigerians who supported us and who saw the injuries to three players in the game in the Benin Republic which was very difficult for the team, going out with the ambulance, it was very difficult,” he said.
