'I Was Scared Before AFCON 2019' - Odemwingie Reveals What Impressed Him About Eagles In Egypt

2008 Beijing Olympics silver medalist, Peter Odemwingie has revealed that he was impressed with the Super Eagles defenders at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, adding that he had doubts about how they would perform before the tournament in Egypt.

Gernot Rohr's ideal back four during the last AFCON assuming all the players were fit contained Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong in central defence, with Jamilu Collins and Abdullahi Shehu occupying the left-back and right-back positions respectively.

The Super Eagles squad was ravaged by injuries in the lead up to the tournament and this saw Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem come into the side and they gave a good account of themselves.

"It's a coaching job to get the balance right like the game against Algeria, you could see a lot of talents and desire but maybe there was not a lot of experience there. The Algerians were older than us on that day," Odemwingie said on Instagram Live.

"We have good talents people like Iwobi, very good defence. I was scared before the tournament about our defence then I ended up being very impressed about our defence.

"There is definitely materials to build on for the next AFCON and World Cup, so it is not a mistake we beat Cameroon and Algeria to qualify for Russia World Cup although we didn't do great there, but those things speak volumes.

"Maybe we were unlucky against Argentina but there is quality in the team".

A two-time World Cupper, Odemwingie won bronze with the Super Eagles at the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel