'Most efficient team' - Rohr names his favourite to win AFCON 2021 after the group stage

Published: January 21, 2022

Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has revealed why the Super Eagles are his favourite team to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations following the conclusion of the group stage.

The Super Eagles laid down a marker after they began the tournament with a 1-0 win over the most successful team at the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt, followed by wins against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria are one of four teams to have ended the group phase without conceding a goal from open play, along with fellow West African countries Senegal, Gambia and Mali, and have an impressive attack averaging two goals per game.

Rohr says he is not surprised by the performance of the Super Eagles in Cameroon, branding the Augustine Eguavoen tutored side the most efficient at AFCON 2021.

"It is for me the favorite after the group stage. This is the team with the most legs, the most efficient. The team has been built to win for five years," Rohr told Ouest France.

"They know each other very well. It makes me happy to see them fulfill the contract even if they have to be wary of direct elimination matches, it's completely different.

"They must be careful not to take the easy way out. I think they can handle the pressure. It's still a young team but it has maturity.

"Some have made the World Cup in Russia. Many have collected an experience which must serve them now."

Nigeria's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad contains ten players who were part of the squad to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, namely Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong, Ahmed Musa, Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Chidozie Awaziem, Tyronne Ebuehi and Kenneth Omeruo.

Igho Kingsley

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