Rohr on Eagles first training session, testing new players, preparation for World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr granted an interview to the Super Eagles Media Team shortly after the national team's first training session on Tuesday.

The former Bayern Munich defender was pleased with the conditions during today's practice and hinted at the Indomitable Lions having the advantage of extra players in the squad for the two friendlies.

Rohr and his assistants were careful not to overwork the players as some of them were travel weary following the trip from Nigeria.

On the training session, Rohr said : "It was okay, we had eighteen players since afternoon, some of them traveled in the night so we were very careful, we don't want to have any injuries.

"We will be twenty tomorrow because two other players will arrive - Onuachu and Ahmed Musa - and we'll try to have a good team.

"We have 20 players, Cameroon have 26 and for the two games I hope no injuries.

"The training session was okay, the conditions are good, good grass, good weather not too hot and I think we can prepare well here in Austria for our friendlies against Cameroon."

Rohr will not be able to count on several key figures for the matches against Cameroon, including Glasgow Rangers duo Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, Porto's Zaidu Sanusi, Leganes' Kenneth Omeruo, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and West Brom's Semi Ajayi.

With only fifteen outfield players currently in camp, including four defenders, it is looking likely that debuts will be handed to some of the fresh faces called up.

Asked if the friendly matches will keep the Super Eagles players in good shape before September's World Cup qualifiers, Rohr answered : "So many players are not here for this test match and it's opportunity for us to try other players, to see new faces, and they will have a chance to show something.

"It's always important to prepare well for the World Cup, it's the last opportunity now to prepare for our World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde so we must use this opportunity to be ready and to have a good complicity in the team".

Nigeria have not lost to Cameroon in regulation time since they were beaten 1-0 in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Yaounde on 27th August 1989.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel