Rohr: Why Super Eagles Started Slowly, Credits Training Ground Work For Omeruo Goal And More

The Super Eagles needed a late goal from Kenneth Omeruo to secure three points against Guinea in their second group match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

For the second straight match, Nigeria started slowly but their performance improved in the second half

Manager Gernot Rohr has praised all the players in action for giving their best despite the unfavorable climatic conditions.

''All the games starting at 1630 hours are difficult for the players, so congratulations to all the players, they did very well in these conditions, it's so hot and was not easy,'' Rohr told reporters at the post-match press conference attended by allnigeriasoccer.com.

''We started slowly because we knew that Guinea has a good team, a good organization. We changed five starting players this time but the spirit was the same.

''It was not easy to prepare before the game because yesterday was a special day, but finally the professionalism of my players was there.''

Nigeria's game-winning goal scored by Omeruo came from a corner kick taken by Moses Simon, and Rohr has revealed that the Chelsea defender finished off a routine which came straight off the training ground.

''I think in the second half, with the time and passion, we could make the difference from a corner kick, we are happy to score from a corner kick because we practise it in training a lot and I'm also very satisfied with the five players who started this time and the spirit was the same.

''It is good to know that we have qualified before the next game against Madagascar but we play to win our games every time and no injuries in my team, it is very important,'' Rohr added.

If they don't take their feet off the gas, the Super Eagles  are expected to maintain their one hundred percent record when they face Madagascar on Sunday, starting from 1700 hours.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel