Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has expressed delight over his lads comeback spirit in the AFCON 2021 qualifier against Benin Republic on Wednesday. The coach says his desire is to win the trophy.
The future of Rohr has been much debated with his contract set to expire in June 2020 and the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to start negotiations over an extension.
But Rohr says he wants to stay on after goals from Victor Osimhen (penalty) and Samuel Kalu earned three points after Benin had taken an early lead through Stephane Sessegnon.
“Benin Republic are good team, we knew what they did in the [2019] Afcon but our attitude was good,” Rohr said. “I’m happy with the result, to come back and win. Good to see competitions among the players.
“It will be exciting for me to win the 2021 AFCON title with Nigeria. That’s my desire, and I will be the most excited. So, winning today is just the beginning. I can’t be excited until we win the title in 2021,” he said.
Rohr says his side did well after their slow start and, especially in the second period, started to show their potential.
“The Super Eagles had a lot of scoring opportunities, but they failed to convert all of them. “In the second half, we played a very good match, ‘one-touch two-touch’, and we have good wingers. We had a lot of opportunities, and with the changes we made, we did very well. It is good for us.”
Nigeria will now travel to tiny Lesotho for their second qualifier on Sunday.
