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Rohr: Nigeria won't underrate Zambia in Uyo

10/4/2017

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​With two matches left  in the  Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa Zone  qualifying tournament, Super Eagles of Nigeria sit on top of Group B  with an impressive 10 points  from four matches against  their  closest challenger in  seven-point  Chipolopolo of Zambia.
 
Incidentally, both sides  would meet in the penultimate round of matches this weekend at the Uyo International Stadium in what should be an interesting  contest; the Super Eagles had previously thrashed other  contenders at the same venue including a 3-1 win against Algeria  as well as the 4-0 white-wash of African champions, Cameroon.

Nevertheless ,  Nigeria’s  Franco-German trainer , Gernot Rohr  has admitted  that their southern African visitors would not be a piece of cake for the West Africans, adding  his wards will  gird their loins against the Chipolopolo.     
 
“I can't predict the score line against Zambia because it would not be an easy match,” the 64-year-old Rohr who had previously  worked in Gabon , Niger, Burkina Faso and Tunisia  told CAFOnline.com
 
 “Zambia can be dangerous because they  also have a good team;  I don't think it would be a 4-0 win for us but the most important thing for us is to win even if it's by one or two goal difference,” added Rohr.
 
 Speaking further, Rohr  said the Chipolopolo  would not be underrated despite Nigeria’s impressive record against Zambia at international level after winning seven  out of past 17 matches plus  the 2-1 away win in Ndola  last October as well as five drawn and five losses  in other encounters.
 
“I have seen a lot of videos of the Zambian  team and I must confess they are a very good side much better than the team we played last October but we are not afraid,” Rohr reassured.“ We only have to give them respect but we won't make the mistake  Algeria  made by underrating  Zambia; they  have quick strikers but we shall be ready for them.”     
                     
Below is excerpts from the  exclusive interview with Rohr  as he speaks about  the progress of Super Eagles under his watch in one year. Read on.
 
CAFONLINE.COM: One year after your appointment, how will you assess the progress of Super Eagles?  GERNOT ROHR: We started in August 2016 and the mission was to build a young team. Our first game against Tanzania was successful  and all along, I wanted a good foundation and that means a very good defence. I also wanted a good mix of experienced and young players.  We started the World Cup campaign in October against Zambia in Ndola and the victory gave us a good confidence. In one year, we only lost once (against South Africa in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers ) and we had good result against big teams like Cameroon and Algeria. At the beginning, everybody thought the ticket for the Russia 2018 World Cup  in our  group was going to be between Cameroon and Algeria but it's  now between us and Zambia. It's now in our hands now and we have to  ensure we win at home against Zambia so that we can go to Russia; we want everybody to be focussed on this objective and I'm confident because our last two games against Cameroon gave us a lot of optimism.         
                                    
Algeria and Cameroon are seemingly out of the race to Russia  but how much of the Zambian team do you know lately?                                              
  I know a lot about the Zambian team especially after watching their exploits in their last two matches against Algeria as well as the impressive evolution of this team since we met last in October. They have also added young players from the squad that won the U-20 AFCON and  from the squad  that reached the quarter finals at the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, so we are expecting a big match from Zambia in Uyo.
 
What are you expecting from the Super Eagles against Zambia in Uyo?                                                              
We are going to show a good fighting spirit ; we want to go to Russia to show the world that we are very good team with a good fighting spirit. In this game against Zambia, the player would show what they can do defensively and offensively. Our goal is to win the game and there is no doubt about that. It's a good situation for us because even a draw is still okay but we want to win. Zambia must win to have a chance of going to Russia;  and I think they are in the same situation like Cameroon who wanted to win in Uyo but we punished them with our counter attacks. We shall see what they want to do but by God's grace, we shall win this game.                                  
 
What makes you happy as the coach of the Super Eagles now?                   
I'm happy to be the head of this group of players and in general, everyone has realised that we have a fantastic goal of going to the World Cup in Russia; and everybody is happy being part of the team. It would be great to lead Nigeria to the World Cup in Russia.
                                        
You will be 65 next year  but how long can you keep on coaching?                   
 Yes, I will be 65 next year but age is just a number. In reality, I feel like I'm 20. What is important is that you are fit in your body and you must have what we called  in French 'Joie de vivre' that is the 'joy of living' and in my own case, the opportunity of working with young players is also a guarantee that  I can stay young. 
                             
What mentality are you imposing on the Super Eagles; is it the French flair or German ruggedness ?                             
First and foremost, I'm German by birth. I was born by German parents, educated in Germany and my first professional club was Bayern Munich and so I have been educated in this (German) spirit. I came to France later in my life and I've also learnt so much about the French style and attitude especially how to work with young players because they have good  academy system.   My roots are in Germany where my father was also a coach but both the German and French set up gave me special philosophy to build upon.                               
HEAD-TO-HEAD:NIGERIA Vs. ZAMBIA
DATE                    RESULT                             COMPETITION
1:15-07-1973     Zambia 5-1 Nigeria         AFCON Qualifier, Lusaka.
2:29-07-1973     Nigeria 3-2 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier Lagos.
3:10-03-1978     Zambia 0-0 Nigeria         AFCON , Accra.
4:25-07-1981     Zambia 3-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Lusaka.
5:13-03-1982     Nigeria 0-3 Zambia         AFCON, Benghazi.
6:10-08-1985     Nigeria 0-0 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier, Lagos.
7:18-08-1985     Zambia 1-0 Nigeria         AFCON Qualifier, Lusaka.
8:12-03-1990     Nigeria 2-0 Zambia         AFCON, Annaba.
9:10-04-1994     Nigeria 2-1 Zambia         AFCON Final, Tunis.
10:15-12-1997   Zambia 2-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Lusaka.
11:17-12-1997   Zambia 0-0 Nigeria         International friendly, Kitwe.
12:13-01-2001   Nigeria 1-0 Zambia         AFCON Qualifier, Lagos.
13:24-03-2001   Zambia 1-1Nigeria          AFCON Qualifier; Chingola.
14:25-01-2010   Zambia 0-0(4-5pen)        Nigeria  AFCON Q/ Finals, Lubango .
15:15-11-2011   Nigeria 2-0 Zambia         International friendly, Kaduna.
16:25-01-2013   Zambia 1-1 Nigeria         AFCON, Nelspruit.
17:09-10-2016   Zambia 1-2 Nigeria         World Cup Qualifier,Ndola.  
 
By cafonline.com
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