With about twenty hours to the crucial World Cup Qualifying game against Cameroon, Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr has opened up on touching issues regarding his team.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Rohr harped on touching subjects like how the team will fare against Cameroon, the return of former captain, Vincent Enyeama and the inclusion of Chelsea Full Back, Ola Aina in the squad
Cameroon is finally here
Rohr described Friday’s game as one he and the team have waited for since November and can’t wait to get over with.
“Since November we have waited for this game and it will be an exciting game against the champions.
“We also have a good team and have six points. They have two. We want to win this game but they have to win because if they don't, it will be very difficult for them,” Rohr said.
“The first half of this game is on Friday and if we win we have a good chance to get a good result in the 2nd one on Monday. We are ready for this game. We know that they are champions. It will be a big challenge.”
With Cameroon playing the Africa Cup of Nations in January and the FIFA Confederations Cup, Rohr says he has done his fair bit of scouting.
“We know a lot of things about them because we had the opportunity to see them in the AFCON and the Confederations Cup. They are a good team but we are ready to get a good result.”
He reiterated that the loss to South Africa two months ago will not in any way affect morale for the game.
“The objective of this game is to win and go to the World Cup and not the AFCON. I am sure the players here will give their all to go to the World Cup and the AFCON.
“We have always the same confidence in this team. The players are the youngest team we have ever had. Now we look forward and we are sure that this game will be different.”
Ezenwa starts on Friday, Enyeama returns?
Gernot Rohr announced on Wednesday that Ikechukwu Ezenwa would start in goal on Friday against Cameroon because there are injuries to the other three goalkeepers.
The gaffer then named the injured goalkeepers as Vincent Enyeama, Carl Ikeme and Daniel Akpeyi.
When probed further, he made a startling revelation.
“We have our experienced players returning and we have some new players. We have problems in our goalkeeping position because three of them are out. Enyeama has meniscus injury and is recovering.
“He is not here because he is recovering. We are praying for him and want to have him.
Akpeyi has an injury that came back in the training session. This boy from Nigeria, Ezenwa will be in goal. We are sure that he will do well. We will try to protect him and give him confidence. We are hoping that the crowd in Uyo will give him confidence too,” Rohr said.
Answering questions as to why he listed Enyeama as one of Nigeria’s injured goalkeepers, Rohr continued.
“I spoke with him. He is ready to come back but he must be fit before he comes back. The past is the past now and we must be ready for the future. If he is ready, then the other problem is to find a new club because Lille now have two other goalkeepers so it will not be possible to play there.
“He will have to find another club in the next transfer window but for now he will be in the 2nd team of Lille. I will watch him play and he must fight for his country and fight for his injury to heal.”
Happy to have Balogun back
After missing out on the game against South Africa in June, Leon Balogun returns to the team and most likely to the starting against the Indomitable Lions.
Rohr believes Balogun’s return will add the much needed aggression to the Eagles’ play.
“We are very happy to have Leon Balogun back. He is our German machine. He can bring us a lot of force and we need a little more aggressiveness. We were too gentle against South Africa.
“We missed him against South Africa. We also missed our captain in midfield and Victor (Moses) in attack, so we can say in each department we have these players.
“It is not a guarantee. There cannot be a guarantee to win the game. We do the best but football is football, especially against a big team like Cameroon, but we are very confident.
“We are very happy to have Leon and Ekong together as well as our captain in midfield.”
Waiting on FIFA for Aina
Chelsea Full Back, Ola Aina, now on loan at Hull City is in the team but will not play against Cameroon on Friday.
Rohr insists they are waiting on FIFA to conclude with paper works for Aina to become eligible to play for Nigeria.
“We are waiting on FIFA for Aina. He has his Nigerian passport. His father is coming.
The officials say we are missing one letter from government to show he is really a citizen of Nigeria.
“It is surprising because he has a Nigerian passport and his parents are Nigerians so I do not know why fifa wants that letter, but as an aside we have invited Uche Agbo.”
The game between Nigeria and Cameroon comes up at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, September 1, 2017.