Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has explained how he
will pick his starting line-up, against Zambia in a 2018 World Cup
qualifier on Saturday.
Rohr had earlier said he already had an idea of those he expects to
start, but on Thursday went on to list what he will be looking out for
in the players he will pick.
“First it is fitness. I mean physical fitness and after that we will
look at what happened in the last games they played for their clubs.
“We have out scouting team that reports so we try to find the best.
“Technical quality is another and then tactical understanding and mental strength.
“You must be cool in the head, not like Brazil against Germany in the World Cup semi-final.
“Finally, there there must not be too much of emotion, but I am happy to have a choice to make,” Rohr told the media.
Ola Aina speaks ahead of first game for Super Eagles
Chelsea’s right-back, Ola Aina has declared readiness to play his
first game for the Super Eagles in Saturday’s crunch 2018 World Cup
qualifier against Zambia in Uyo.
The 21-year-old defender was on the bench when Nigeria filed out
against Cameroon in Yaounde after he was cleared by FIFA last month.
Aina has already made 11 appearances for English Championship side, Hull City where he is currently on loan this season.
He revealed that he has been following the Super Eagles and African
football for a while before his switch to Nigeria from England.
He told press conference in Uyo on Thursday, “To put it short, it’s a
big honour to represent Nigeria, and I’m happy to be here with the
team.
“I’ve been following the Super Eagles and African football for a
while now. So much physicality, but definitely, I am ready to play for
the team if I get the chance on Saturday.
“The most important thing is to win and qualify for the World Cup.”
Odion Ighalo reveals his motivation
Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo has revealed his motivation ahead of
the crunch World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Saturday in Uyo.
The former Watford striker said “playing in the World Cup” is his motivation, not lining his pocket with the riches on offer.
The Changchun Yatai of China frontman is expected to lead the Super
Eagles forward against Zambia having performed credibly well in the two
legs against Cameroon last month.
Gernot Rohr’s men have been promised financial reward should they subdue the Chipolopolo who are in dire need of a victory.
Ighalo told reporters, “Most of us in the team have not gone to the
World Cup, so there is no amount of money that can get me motivated.
“Playing in the World Cup is my motivation because I have only been to the U20 World Cup.
“It will be a great honour for me to represent over 170 million
Nigerians in Russia – [a tournament which has eluded] some great
players.
“Against Zambia, I will do whatever it takes to win the game though a draw will be good for us.
“We’ll go into this game with maximum concentration and focus because
a game like this is dicey because we are playing against a young and
good side.
“With the calibre of players we have, we are capable of beating any team and on Saturday, we are going to win by God’s grace.
“We have worked so hard and we still have two more trainings to go and on Friday, we will know who will be on parade.”
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