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Eagles not 100 per cent fit, says Rohr

By Samuel Ifetoye
22 June 2019   |   3:11 am
Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr is worried that his wards are not totally fit for Nigeria’s opening game against Burundi in the on-going African Cup of Nations. But he assures they will give a good account of themselves in Group B’s opening game. Nigeria will meet Burundi at the Alexandria Stadium by 6.00 p.m. today.…

Super Eagles coach, Rohr. Photo/BreakingTimes

Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr is worried that his wards are not totally fit for Nigeria’s opening game against Burundi in the on-going African Cup of Nations. But he assures they will give a good account of themselves in Group B’s opening game.

Nigeria will meet Burundi at the Alexandria Stadium by 6.00 p.m. today.

The Swallows were unbeaten in the qualifiers and in the duo of Saido Berahino and Fiston Abdoul-Razak, they have some players that can hurt the Eagles if they got the chance.

But Nigeria, favourites to top Group B, believe they have the personnel to take care of any illness forced absence.

Rohr said: “We are prepared to face them with humility because they were unbeaten in the qualifiers. It is difficult because all the big countries are here, but I believe the competition will be wonderful with passionate fans and nice pitches.

“Everyone is not fit. Four or five players missed one week of training and have only trained for a few days. We are not in the best shape, but we don’t complain. The team have solidarity, perhaps even too much solidarity. But we will be ready; the fittest one will play tomorrow.

“We’re used to the pressure and we are cool. We are happy to start this competition and we have been together for three weeks. The weather is a bit different from what we are used to in Nigeria, and it affected us because half the team fell sick, but now only one player is sick.”

Meanwhile, Berahino, who plays for England’s Stoke City, believes the Super Eagles going into then game.

He believes his team has the quality to hurt Nigeria, adding that the fact not much is known about them is an advantage to them.

“We are lucky to qualify and we have to take advantage of the opportunity, and our chance that many do not know anything about us, which may help us to win,” he said yesterday.

“It is a great honor for my entire country, the people of Burundi were very happy and we have to be happy again.’

The Nigerian players are convinced that they will win as a strong team, but we will not let them do that, we will do our best to win tomorrow.

“The most beautiful thing about football is that it is full of surprises, which is what we are trying to exploit and we will take things step by step.”

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