GERNOT ROHR How do you feel about your opponents?
You were a surprise choice to lead Nigeria in 2016. Are you surprised about how the mood has changed in two years?
The people of Nigeria are passionate about football. They love the game and the Super Eagles mean a lot to them. When we win they celebrate and if we don’t, like against South Africa, we saw the reaction. Losing has not happened very often and they see how the team has progressed. Right now I love our journey together with the fans.
The big question in Nigeria is “who will be in goal in Russia”?
We’ve been working hard on this position for one year. We were unlucky with Carl Ikeme’s sickness but we will have three good keepers for Russia. The decision on who will start will be taken a week before the game against Croatia.
The NFF president says the team can reach the semi-finals, but you’ve said it is good to lower expectations. Personally, what is your target in Russia?
Our target is to come out of the group and then take each match after that like a Final. I don’t think it is fair to expect so much from these players, it creates unnecessary pressure. We have to be realistic.
You have the youngest team going to Russia. Is this an advantage or a challenge?
The youthfulness of the team is a challenge
for the future, starting with the World Cup. That’s an important stage to learn, to grow and to mature. To be the youngest means missing experienced players and the possibility of making mistakes. But the enthusiasm and athleticism that comes with youth can be a good balance for us.
Nigeria’s last World Cup campaign was blighted by a protest over bonuses, but now the finances have been sorted...
It was very significant to find this agreement between the NFF, the players and staff. This should allow everybody to focus on the work. Distractions over money or non-football issues always have a negative effect on a team. Since I have been in charge we have not had this problem. This is good and I feel excited that football is the only objective for us in Russia. Iceland and Croatia have the same dream of coming out of the group as Nigeria. Argentina is considered one of the favourites for the trophy. All these teams have a mission to qualify first; it is not easy to separate four teams in words, only results will.
Does the 4-2 friendly win back in November give an insight into how to face Argentina?
That was a good friendly but we are not getting carried away. They had no [Lionel] Messi and were missing some other players. We also didn’t have Victor Moses. It will be different.
Was it difficult not to be tempted by calls for you to include some experienced players in the team?
We have to respect what those older players have done for the country and let them enjoy it. The plan is to prepare a team for the future. Nigeria have not played in two African Cup of Nations. We need to change that and qualify again. Importantly, the atmosphere in the team is calm now with no problems, fighting or ego disruption. Once you have created this good environment, you need to keep it that way.