Super Eagles Coach Rohr : Draw Against South Africa Is Just Like A Victory

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr faced the cameras shortly after Nigeria became the latest country to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations following their 1-1 draw with South Africa on Saturday afternoon.

One of Rohr's wishes prior to today's contest was for the South African goalkeeper to concede for the first time in the qualifiers and he didn't have to wait long when the game started, with Buhle Mkhwanazi putting the ball into his own net in the 10th minute.

''The challenge today was to score a goal against this very good goalkeeper, we knew it will be a difficult game,'' Rohr told SuperSport.

''It was very hot, long traveling for us, arriving only yesterday morning without sleeping in the night. The second half was very difficult.

''We started the match well, scored the first goal, our attack was okay, they had to come against our defensive block and it was difficult for South Africa.''

Though the Super Eagles needed only one point to guarantee qualification, Rohr has stated that they wanted to score more goals in the second half, adding that the draw is like a victory since they have accomplished their mission.

''We tried to score the second goal of course because we play to win all the time.

''This is our first game in five matches we have not won, we won our four previous matches, that's why we wanted to win.

''But we didn't want to take any risk because we knew a draw is just like a victory,'' Rohr concluded.

The Super Eagles last international fixture of 2018 comes up against Uganda in Asaba on November 20.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel