Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr is set to face his first major task since taking over the Eagles job in August.
Rohr’s Super Eagles side will play their first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on October 9 in Ndola.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) recently confirmed the new date for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier between Zambia and Nigeria in Ndola, which will now be held on October 9.
The new date is six days after the initial October 3 date earlier scheduled for the fixture.
Rohr’s major assignment will be the qualification of Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the German tactician have vowed to deliver the 2018 World Cup ticket to Nigeria.
Coach Rohr has stated clearly that his priority is to build a formidable team and qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup scheduled for Russia.
Rohr made the assertion at a post match briefing after Nigeria beat Tanzania, 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.
Rohr said Nigeria was blessed with good players that would be trained to do well and qualify for the World Cup. “We want to build a team with a good defence, a good spirit, who can win games.
“We had a Tanzania team with a very good goalkeeper and there was need for patience, the players had to wait for the good moment to score the goal.
“ So, they did it, and I am happy for them for the staff and Nigerian people,” he said.
“Now we can prepare. The big challenge is to go for the world cup in Russia,” he said.
For him to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigeria, the former Burkina Faso handler reiterated that Nigeria would need all her best players to play at their premium in order to pick the lone ticket from their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification group.
“We will need all our best players to be at their very best. We had a good list for the Tanzania match but a couple of players were injured and we will like to look at those ones as well. The focus is to strengthen the spine of the team and ensure they can beat any team. The confidence has not been there because the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but when results start to come, the confidence will return.”
“I have a very good feeling about this job and the people I have to work with. I am also happy that the first week went very well because the players were able to quickly imbibe our philosophy. We need to have solidarity all round. The Technical Committee members have also been great. Certainly, the National Technical Director also has a role to play. The ambience is impressive.”
Ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier cracker with Nigeria, reports from Zambia indicated that former South Africa coach Gordon Igesund is set to be named as new coach of Zambia for the month’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
Both teams last met at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa that ended in a 1-1 draw in Nelspruit.
Having missed out in two consecutive editions of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), millions of soccer lovers can’t wait to see their darling Super Eagles team. The Super Eagles will play again at the global stage- the FIFA World Cup.
Algeria and Cameroon are the other teams in this World Cup qualifying group.
Anthony Nlebem
@AnthonyNlebem
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