By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Dennis Erezi
Published on 2024-01-19 13:08:35
Former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr praised the coaching crew led by Jose Peseiro for their key role in stopping Côte d’Ivoire’s attack during Thursday’s Group A clash in the AFCON tournament. The Eagles secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Côte d’Ivoire, with Nigeria’s captain William Troost-Ekong converting a penalty in the 55th minute following a foul on Victor Osimhen.
Throughout the game, the Ivorians struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and resorted to unproductive long-range strikes that did not threaten the Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. This win placed the Eagles in second position with four points, behind Equatorial Guinea, who also have four points thanks to their 4-2 win against Guinea-Bissau.
Rohr praised the Nigerian team’s organization, particularly the 5-4-1 formation which he believed was decisive in stopping the Ivorian strikers. He commended the defenders and midfielders for their excellent job, singling out Alex Iwobi, Onyeka, Chukwueze, and Lookman for their contributions both defensively and offensively. Rohr expressed his happiness for the team, especially in light of the criticism they had previously faced, and their response with a strong performance against the host country.
However, Rohr cautioned the Eagles against becoming complacent, reminding the team of the importance of remaining humble and focused. He emphasized the need to not underestimate any opponent, citing the team’s previous experience at the last AFCON where they won all their group games but were later eliminated in the round of 16.
Rohr also praised the performances of Chukwueze and Osimhen, highlighting their outstanding contributions to the team’s victory. He expressed his satisfaction with Chukwueze’s game and Osimhen’s scoring ability, congratulating the Nigerian fans in the process. Overall, Rohr’s analysis of the match provided insight into the team’s tactical approach, individual performances, and the importance of maintaining focus and humility throughout the tournament.
Read the original article on The Guardian
