- Burna Boy’s Police Escorts Shoot Married Man After Singer Made Pass At Wife - June 12, 2022
- I’m Ashamed Of Ohanaeze, No Longer Believe In Body – Umahi Attacks Obiozor - June 12, 2022
- June 12: President Buhari’s Democracy Day Speech - June 12, 2022
Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr has said the opportunity to offer playtime to new players was more important than gunning for victory in the friendly against Cameroon in Austria on Friday.
The gaffer disclosed this in his post-match conference after the match.
Cameroon took the lead through a goal by Andre Anguissa in the first half despite the Super Eagles dominance in the opening stages of the game.
The narrow defeat against Cameroon marked the Super Eagles’ first loss against them since the FCON 2000.
However, the Nigerian side will have an opportunity to fight back on Tuesday when both teams face off again.
Rohr said, “The most important thing is not the result because it was just a test match,” Rohr said. “It was interesting to see some new players because we had to manage the situation and we did well, I think we had 17 shots on the goal while Cameroon only had three, they had only one on target which was the goal and we had six on target.
“As I said, the result is not the most important thing in a friendly, the most important thing is to learn, to see some interesting things, to test some new players and to see what we want to do in September for the World Cup qualifiers.
“Our domination was not good enough because we had to score at the beginning of the game but we didn’t and when you don’t score you get published.”
The German tactician added that William Troost-Ekong and Jamilu Collins will not be in action for the second game due to injury.
He added, “But I saw interesting things, we had good integration of some new players, three of them played for the first time. We lost two players to injury and it will be difficult for the second game because Troost-Ekong and Collins are out and now we have to manage the difficult situation. But it is an opportunity to play with three defenders and to change a little bit with the system and try something different that’s why we are happy to have the second game.”
Rohr lauded the performances of Terem Moffi, Abraham Marcus and also Peter Olayinka after they came on in the second half.
Speaking on, he said, “These test matches are made to give chance other players. Of course, I will love to play with my best team, prepare them for the World Cup qualifiers in the same conditions but it was not possible because too many players could not come so it was an opportunity to see Moffi, he did well, Olayinka did well on the right side and we saw Marcus who was also good and Valentine who came in for Troost-Ekong in the end.
“We will see in the next game if they can be in our 23-man list, now there will be competition and it’s good to give them the chance and all the time we are happy to have young players.”
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.