Super Eagles have become used to the trend of qualifying for major tournaments with matches to spare under Franco-German trainer, Gernot Rohr in his four years and four months so far in charge of the national team.
And that is what the Super Eagles aim to continue when they confront the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on Friday in a double Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying series in Benin City and Freetown.
Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, who superintended Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals with a match to spare from a hard pool that included Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, and also led the Eagles to earn a 2019 AFCON ticket ahead of the final day of the qualifiers, said that he is expecting his wards to conform to style and taste.
“We do not in any way under-rate the Sierra Leoneans that we play over two legs within these four days, but we have our focus and objective for the matches. We want to win both games so we can have the ticket and be able to be little more relaxed for the final games. You know that next year, we also have the World Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better to get the AFCON job behind us now.
“I am excited by the spirit of the players and their sense of dedication and commitment. We have not played a competitive match in a year, but they look very ready and good to go. Our mission is the six points in these two matches.”
With the maximum six points from their first two matches of the campaign, three ahead of second-placed Benin Republic who square up to Lesotho, the Eagles will be sure of a spot in the Draw for the finals in Cameroon if they earn all the points at stake against the Leone Stars.
Skipper Ahmed Musa said the team which comprised experienced and young players are ready and waiting for the match.
“The coach has to give everybody opportunity to play. With the quality of players that we have, we are ready”, he added.
On his part, William-Troost Ekong, added that the Super Eagles are hungry and have been waiting for the game for a long time.
Ekong noted that the players are determined to play at the tournament.
After Friday’s encounter, the Super Eagles will fly to Freetown on Monday for Tuesday’s clash with the Leone Stars at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.
