Eagles Are Underdogs: Rohr
Super Eagles’ manager, Gernot Rohr, has labelled the threetime African champions Nigeria as underdogs ahead of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Rohr also admitted that the statistics from the friendly encounters of the Super Eagles are not headturning, saying the underdog tag that has come as a result suits the Nigerian team nicely.
He said; “We are okay with the garb of the underdog. But the defeats have done something for us– we have our heads firmly on our shoulders and we are focused. “Together, we have reviewed the matches and learnt so many lessons. We will approach the World Cup matches differently.
“We will take it one match at a time. I love this group because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia.”
BIGGEST MISTAKE
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Croatia on Saturday, with the Eagles logging a balanced record of having won their opening match at the World Cup on two occasions, drawn once and lost twice. On the three occasions they have not lost their opening match (1994, 1998, 2014), the Eagles have progressed to the round of 16. An underwhelming recent record, being the lowest-ranked team in Group D and the lowest-ranked African team in the finals, plus a recent tag by FIFA as mere “perennial World Cup appearance-makers” all tend to project the Eagles as a side waiting to be rolled over. That would be the biggest mistake of the so-called big teams. Nigeria’s senior team has the knack for coming to the party when least expected.
Lumped in a fiery assembly with Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia in the African qualifying race, the Eagles made short work of the pool, emerging run-away winners with a match to spare, and with the distinction of hammering African champions Cameroon 4-0 on a spectacular evening in Uyo.
SURPRISING BOOKMAKERS
For sure, the tactician has the pieces to craft a crack squad capable to surprising the bookmakers in Russia.
Young goal-tender Francis Uzoho has logged useful hours since making his debut against Argentina in Krasnodar in November last year, and deputies Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi are even more experienced.
The dependable “Oyibo Wall” of Leon Balogun and William Ekong can trust either of Abdullahi Shehu and Bryan Idowu or Tyronne Ebuehi and Elderson Echiejile to cover the flanks well enough, and Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem are also available. Skipper Mikel John Obi retains his steel and ball-holding ability in midfield, with Wilfred Ndidi having recovered from injury in good time and John Ogu showing versatility in recent games. Oghenekaro Etebo, Ogenyi Onazi and Joel Obi add to the options in that sector.
Speedster Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi can combine to tear apart the opposition, and the world of football is still blissfully unaware of the ability of Italybased Simeon Nwankwo.
THE SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho; Daniel Akpeyi; Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu; Tyronne Ebuehi; William Ekong; Leon Balogun; Chidozie Awaziem; Elderson Echiejile; Kenneth Omeruo; Bryan Idowu
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi; Mikel John Obi; Ogenyi Onazi; John Ogu; Oghenekaro Etebo; Joel Obi, Forwards: Odion Ighalo; Victor Moses; Simeon Nwankwo; Alex Iwobi; Ahmed Musa; Kelechi Iheanacho.