Nigeria’s National Team coach has revealed why the Super Eagles crumbled to Central African Republic in a shocking defeat in the World Cup Qualifiers.

The Super Eagles enjoyed the possession all through the game but failed to find the back of the net. Shockingly, Central African Republic scored a 90th minute goal to snatch all the 3 points from the three times African Champions.

Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles coach has stated that the absence of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi impacted Nigeria’s game against the Central African Republic in Thursday’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification match.

Karl Namnganda’s 90th-minute effort separated both teams as the three-time African kings were humiliated in their own home.

TVs and Audio Category

While lamenting his team’s defeat despite dominating ball possession, the German tactician discloses that the absence of Alez Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi really hurt the rest of the team. Both foreign based players were out due to injury.

“The players are still disappointed in the dressing room and still not understanding why we could lose this match,”

“When we analyzed it, we dominated possession of the ball, we had several opportunities to score but we did not score and very often in football, there was a counter and our opponents scored.

“Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, we lost. We had the opportunity to score but we couldn’t.

“We have to recover, and we have to make some changes in the team. We missed the creativity of Iwobi, we also missed Ndidi so much.

“It was not easy for [Frank] Onyeka and a first-timer [Taiwo] Awoniyi to come in this team.”

See also  CAF blacklists Nigeria's Teslim Balogun Stadium from hosting Super Eagles home matches

Nevertheless, the German is confident that his team will get the job done in the return leg to boost their chances of qualifying for the play-off round.

“Cape Verde were well organised but we are still ahead in the group and in three days time, I believe we will be able to win the match,” he continued.

“It will not be in Central Africa, it will be in Cameroon and on a very good pitch.

“Also, I think the fighting spirit of the team is still there. I hope in the next game, we will be luckier than today.

“There will be some changes. Already, there are some injuries and I don’t know if Kelechi [Iheanacho] is able to play because he had a knock.

“We have some players who are tired because they ran a lot and were fighting as always. This defeat will surely make their recovery more difficult.

“They will not sleep well tonight but we have to recover and prepare for Sunday’s game which we must win.”

Men Smart Shoes