Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has expressed satisfaction over Nigeria’s third place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odion Ighalo’s early goal in the third minute gave Nigeria a 1-0 win over Tunisia in their third-place playoff on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old forward, who is the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, was gifted an easy tap-in following a Tunisian defensive mix-up at the Al Salam Stadium.
This was after Jamilu Collins’ cross from the left was poorly parried by goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifa against the legs of defender Yassine Meriah.
NAN also reports that Nigeria, who dominated the game, have won the bronze medal at eight different Cup of Nations tournaments.
Rohr told newsmen during a post match conference that he was satisfied with the team’s performance, adding that he was very positive about the future.
“We are satisfied with the third place. We managed to beat Africa’s second best team.
“It was hard, so we are good with it.
“I told the players that winning a small final was better than losing a big one.
“I am very positive about the future,” he said.
On his part, Coach Alain Giresse of Tunisia said that he was proud of what his team achieved at this year’s AFCON, adding that Tunisia had lots of hope for the next AFCON and World Cup.
“At the beginning of the tournament, we didn’t do well. But after that our performance evolved.
“Tunisia have been waiting for a semifinal since 2004, and here we are in a 24-team tournament.
“We have lots of hope for the next AFCON and for the World Cup,” he said.
Algeria play Senegal in the Cup of Nations final in Cairo on Friday.
Tag: Rohr
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AFCON: Rohr satisfied over Super Eagles’ third place finish
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Super Eagles lost to a better team- Rohr
Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that his team lost to a better side in the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Riyad Mahrez’s goal from a free-kick at the edge of the box, with seconds left to play, condemned Nigeria to a 2-1 defeat and steered Algeria to their first AFCON Final match in 29 years.
Rohr told newsmen during a post-match interview that it was a game of two halves, adding however that Algeria were the better side at the end of the day.
“Until the last minute, Algeria had a better first half than us, but we came back a much better team in the second half.
“Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the last minute. I think the players wanted to go to extra-time believing that perhaps Algeria will get tired and we could win the match in extra time
“It was a wonderful game. We lost it, so we are not happy. Congrats to the winners. They were the better team in the first half.
“We scored an own goal. We were unlucky but we came back like we have always done all the time in this tournament.
“When we found ourselves in a difficult situation, we always reacted and we did that also today coming back through a penalty and playing a better second half.
“But a wonderful free-kick from a football genius made the difference.
“In our last game, we won in the last minute against South Africa and today we lost. That’s football, ” he said.
Coach Djamel Belmadi of Algeria on his part said his side had a tough game against a tough opponent, adding that it had to take the quality of Mahrez to decide the result of the match.
“We knew that it would be a tough game because of the quality of our opponents and the tough game we had against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.
“My boys had an amazing first half. So, we deserved at that time to score a goal and I think we could have scored even more goals.
“Then in the second half, we had a difficult moment for about 15 minutes, we were under pressure.
“I think we played too deep and didn’t apply enough pressure on our opponents due to fatigue on my players and the quality of course of our opponents.
“Then came the penalty which I think my players showed great character and mental strength to come back and fought until the end to score the decisive goal.
“We however had some situations in the second half, maybe not clear cut chances where I think we could have scored another goal with a little more accuracy.
“Then the free-kick arrived and of course with the quality of players like Riyad Mahrez, it’s a massive chance at goal and thank God we made it count,” he said.
Nigeria will now take on 2004 champions Tunisia in the third place match at the Al Salam Stadium on Wednesday, while Algeria take on Senegal in Friday’s final at the Cairo International Stadium.
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Burundi made us suffer – Coach Gernot Rohr
Though the Super Eagles won their opening match in the Africa Cup of Nations clash with Burundi, coach Gernot Rohr disclosed that Burundi made his team suffer before they scored the lone goal.
He described Burundi as a very difficult opponent for Nigeria.It took the three-time African champions 77 minutes to break the deadlock at the Alexandria Stadium thanks to a cool finish from Odion Ighalo.
The goal separated the Super Eagles from the Swallows, who were playing their first game at the Afcon finals.
At the end of the game, the 65-year-old coach said that Burundi made his team ‘suffer’ before scoring the only goal in the match.
“It was a very difficult match for us because this team of Burundi is very organised. Olivier – the coach, I know him very well and he has a lot of experience,” Rohr said after the game.
“They also qualified from a tough group that has Gabon, Mali and they come through. We saw the games, they were unbeaten in the qualifiers.
“It was not easy, especially very difficult to score the first goal. If the first goal is not coming quickly, you suffer and you have to work hard to score and to win the matches.
The victory earned the Super Eagles massive praise from the fans, but Rohr is looking forward to another tough match when they face off against Guinea on Wednesday.
“The Nigerian supporters are happy that we won the match, and it’s good to win the first match, it’s never easy,” he continued.
“The second match will also be difficult against a wonderful team of Guinea, and the third one, Madagascar, is nothing to lose. We will try to give our best and I think it’s good to start slowly and we come higher and higher.”
The win moved Nigeria to the summit of Group B with three points after their opening game.
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Egypt 2019: Rohr drops Iheanacho, Ajayi
Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has dropped Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Rottherham United player Semi Ajayi for the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on June 21 in Egypt.
Iheanacho who was part of the team for the qualifiers failed to make the final cut as a result of his lack of playing time with his club in England, while Ajayi who was player of the month for his English Championship side last season failed to measure in training.
Indications that Rohr was going to drop Iheanacho who has also featured for premier league side, Manchester emerged yesterday when he was not featured for the friendly against Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
All throughout last week, Rohr had hinted that only players that were in form would be make the 23-man squad for the tournament.
The team will fly out later today from Asaba to Egypt on a chartered flight where they would set up a training base in Ismailia.
On June 16 they face the Teranga Lions of Senegal in a friendly before their opening group game against Burundi on June 22 in Alexandria.
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Eagles 70 per cent ready for AFCON, says Rohr
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has said his squad is 70 per cent ready for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after the team defeated Egypt in a friendly on Tuesday.
Paul Onuachu netted a sensational goal as the three-time African champions got the better of the most successful AFCON nation in Asaba, Delta State.
The Franco-German, however, said the team still needed to improve in so many areas before the start of the competition on 22 June in Egypt.
“The match was a great match for us and when you play a great team like Egypt which for me are one of the favourites for the Afcon and win it is good,” Rohr told newsmen.
“All the time we must improve but let us enjoy this wonderful moment.
“We scored a wonderful goal. Tomorrow, we will analyse this game and go back to work on the team we have to make them better. I think the team is 70% ready but I like the number 69.
“We decided to make a fast start. It was a planned goal from the kickoff. We have a tall striker from Denmark (Onuachu), he did very well but he has to improve still.
“We made five changes with two local players making their debut. It will be good for them and their career.
“What was interesting for me also in Asaba was that we had three wonderful victories. First, we beat Seychelles they the U23 team also trounced Libya and now we beat Egypt. So it was a good week for us.”
The Super Eagles had earlier recorded a 3-1 win over Seychelles in their final AFCON qualifying match on Friday.
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AFCON 2019: Rohr lists conditions to accept fresh players into Eagles squad
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has reeled out conditions that must be met by any player who hopes to gatecrash into his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, footballlive.ng reports.
While affirming that the current set of players in the Eagles have already laid a strong foundation for a successful outing at AFCON 2019, Rohr said chances will be given only to newcomers with special qualities.
The Franco-German gaffer added that any intending new member must also show an ability to offer something better than those already in the squad.
An inside source, however, hinted that Rohr could be looking mostly at defenders during his build-up to the continental soccer showpiece, with a new goalkeeper also likely on the cards.
The source disclosed that Rohr is not satisfied with his full-back positions and is already scouting for new faces that would bring competition into the fight for shirts in those departments.
“Right now the full backs in the team don’t have stable clubs and the coach thinks they may not be ready psychologically,” he added.
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Rohr promises to field his best players against Seychelles
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed his plan for the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers reverse fixture against Seychelles in March next year.
The Eagles defeated the Indian Ocean country 3-0 in the first leg and have since wrapped up their qualification for the tournament billed to be staged in neighbouring Cameroon.
But coach Gernot Rohr sees it differently. Said he in Lagos Friday, “That match is crucial to me because we want to top the group.
We have not won that match yet. That is why we must field our best against Seychelles. We want to win and score as many goals as possible.” Rohr said the match will be viewed with all seriousness as Seychelles who held South Africa to a goalless draw in their last match may want to end the series on a high.
The coach also shared a thought on what awaits South Africa in Sfax, in their last match against Libya. “The Bafana Bafana have a tough task ahead of them because the Libyans would do everything to frustrate them and stop them from qualifying for the AFCON.”
With ten points from five matches, the Super Eagles have booked their place in Cameroon already. But Libya(7 points) and South Africa (9 points) have everything to fight for. Only a win can guarantee Libya a ticket but a draw of any scoreline will see South Africa qualify.
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Afcon 2019: Rohr targets qualification in South Africa
Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr is confident the Super Eagles will beat South Africa to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The three-time African champions, who lead Group E on nine points, will take on Bafana Bafana on 17 November in Johannesburg.
The Super Eagles will earn a berth at next year’s tournament if they draw with South Africa, who are one point adrift of Nigeria; while Libya and Seychelles are tied to third and fourth spots respectively.
“We want to qualify from this group if possible in the next game away to South Africa in Johannesburg which means we will do the same thing that we did for the qualification for the 2018 World Cup held in Russia that is to be qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations before our last match is played against Seychelles in Nigeria,” brila.net quoted Rohr as saying.
“If we have a point in South Africa we have qualified even if Libya win in Seychelles and also win at home against South Africa, Libya will get 10 points.
”With our 10 points, we will still qualify for 2019 Afcon. But our ambition and resolve is to win in South Africa but a draw would be enough.”
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I can’t promise Super Eagles will win 2019 AFCON title – Rohr
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said he cannot promise that the team will win the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria are on the cusp of sealing qualification for the tournament after their absence from the last two editions of the competition in 2015 and 2017.
The Eagles currently sit atop Group E with nine points after four matches and will be away at second-placed South Africa in Johannesburg on November 17.
A victory for the Eagles in the match will seal their passage to the tournament, which holds from June 15 to July 13, 2019. Only the top two teams in the group will qualify for the first-ever 24-nation tournament.
However, Rohr, who spoke on Supersports during the week, said the team were working hard for their next match but said he could not promise that he will lead the team to their fifth continental title in Cameroon.
“We are working very hard to make sure that we get the necessary points in our next match in South Africa. We know that the match will not be easy but we are working well to make sure our players are in good conditions before the match,” he said.
“We want to make sure that we don’t lose the match just like what happened in our first match. We know that a good result in the match will put us at ease before the visit of Seychelles in our last match at home. We want to finish top of the group.
“For the AFCON, we are determined to ensure that we qualify because we know that for two editions, Nigeria were not there. The fact that we didn’t qualify from the group stage at the World Cup in Russia has been one of the factors that is driving the team because we know that Nigerians were not happy after we couldn’t get to the second round.
“But I cannot promise that we will win the tournament in Cameroon. We want to win it but it will be too early to make promises. Our attitude as a team has been to be modest and take each match as it comes. We also don’t underrate any opponent we play against. This is a young team and they are hungry for success. We have a good professional philosophy and we want to go as far as possible in any competition but we are not making any promises.”
The former Burkina Faso coach said he would continue to explore the possibility of playing Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi in the central midfield role.
Iwobi was instrumental in Nigeria’s victories in their qualifying double-headers against Libya in Uyo and Sfax as he created chances for striker Odion Ighalo as well as wingers Ahmed Musa and Samuel Kalu.
The former Bordeaux manager said, “Iwobi has played very well in the play-making role. We saw him when he played in the role in the friendly against England in London. We also saw him do well in the role against Libya.
“He plays more than the play-making role. He distributes the ball well and also plays for the team. I am concerned about what he does with the ball and what he does off the ball – and he has impressed in these areas. He works very well for the team and we are impressed with him. But we have to conserve what he is going on well for the team.”
Meanwhile, Rohr is hoping that Ademola Lookman will switch allegiance to represent the Eagles.
The 21-year-old was impressive on loan with German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig last season though he has struggled for game time since he joined Everton in 2017 from Charlton Athletic.
The 65-year-old coach is confident that the youngster will add value to his team if he makes the switch.
“He plays for the youth now but we hope he can change his mind and play for us,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
“He’s a player we know can add something to the team. Getting a player to change his national choice is not easy, quick and the process is never so straightforward. First we must be sure he wants to come. And hope to get it cleared by FIFA. Then the most important part is that he brings something new, different and better than we have.
“Every coach wants options, we’ve been lucky to get some players and if we get him, Lookman will give us more options. But we have to be careful about how we go about this because Nigeria have some good players at home and playing outside.” -
NFF, Rohr ‘beg’ Victor Moses to reconsider playing for Nigeria
Sequel to Chelsea wingback Victor Moses’ notice of retirement from international football, the Chelsea star has reportedly come under pressure from Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reverse his plans and consider representing Nigeria again.
Recall that the 27-year-old, who represented the country at the Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018 World Cups, said he decided to call time on his international career to enable him to focus on his club career and his family.
The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner said in a statement on his Twitter handle he informed Rohr of his decision “by telephone”.
And the NFF General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed was quoted as saying “the football house is talking with him (Moses) to find out the reason and if possible convince him to rescind his decision for the sake of the country”.
It was learnt that Rohr and his employers had been trying to persuade the former England junior international to change his mind despite the leadership crisis in the national football house, which has seen Chris Giwa locked in a battle with Amaju Pinnick over the true leader of Nigerian football. But the Federal Government on Monday recognised Pinnick as president of the NFF. The announcement saved the country from FIFA hammer.
Sources claim Moses is not happy with the bad press for the country over the power struggle over the leadership of the NFF and decided to quit.
However, the former Wigan player, who represented England at the South Korea 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup won by Nigeria, is digging his heels in.
Rohr said on Thursday he would continue his talks with the player.
“We spoke already and I hope that his decision is not definitive,” the veteran German manager was quoted by KweséESPN as saying.
“I think it depends on his motivation. If he really wants to commit himself again, he is welcome.
“Maybe the chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations is motivation. We will see.”
Moses scored 12 times in his 37 appearances for Nigeria, and provided a constant and potent threat for the Super Eagles whenever he played.