.Eagles’ll start well-Amaju
By George Aluo
For Super Eagles German tactician, Gernot Rohr, tomorrow’s crucial Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia away in Ndola is the first real test as Eagles manager.
Rohr it is recalled started his reign as Eagles manager on a good note on September 3 in Uyo when he led the team to beat Tanzania in an AFCON 2017 qualifier in a match in which nothing but pride was at stake.
While only pride was at stake against Tanzania, tomorrow in Ndola it would be a different ball game as the stakes would be very high. The outcome of the match would go a long way in determining if either Nigeria or Zambia would go all the way to Russia to feature in the world’s biggest single sports fiesta, the World Cup.
Rohr may be new as Eagles manager, but he is not a stranger in African football and as such knows how to handle his hosts and get the result he needs to start the Russia 2018 race on a fine note.
The former Niger, Gabon and Burkina Faso manager is aware that given the fact that he also has the African giants duo of Cameroon and Algeria in the group he cant afford to go for anything short of victory against Chipolopolo.
The coach had after the win against Tanzania harped on the need for the players to play with commitment and be at their very best.
Given the current form of the players at their various clubs, Rohr could be said to be in Ndola with players that are at their best.
From Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Brown Ideye down to the home based duo of Godwin Obaje and Chisom Egbuchulam Rohr has in his arsenal players who are ready to fire on all cylinders.
All eyes would particularly be on Iheanacho and Iwobi who have been delivering in their clubs out there in England. Iheanacho who scored the only goal in the slim 1-0 victory over Tanzania is one striker Nigerians would be banking on again tomorrow to deliver.
President of the nation’s soccer federation, Pinnick Amaju is one man that is confident the boys will deliver.
His joy is that the players are in top form ahead of the game. His words: “We have a good team, a team that is made up of young players that would want to be at the World. We also have a strong technical crew.”
Tomorrow’s game starts by 1.30 Nigerian time inside the 49,800 capacity Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola.
