Mikel, Rohr explain why Nigeria lost to South Africa after 4-0 convincing win over Cameroon
- Gernot Rohr says changes made to the team against South Africa caused his team defeat to the Stuart Baxter’s led boys
- The Super Eagles coach says five players that played in the 4-0 win over Cameroon were not available when his team played South Africa
- The coach was also backed by his captain John Obi Mikel who noted that it is difficult to change five players to a team
Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said that the nonavailability of five players in the squad that lost to 2-0 to South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday June 10 caused his team defeat to Stuart Baxter’s led boys.
Speaking to newsmen after Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 win over Cameroon, Rohr believes that the changes made to his team before the game against South Africa worked against him and his players.
Rohr said after Nigeria’s win against Cameroon: “Today (September 1) we had five players who didn’t play against South Africa, so we had more maturity. I think it is better we have a good mixture between young and experience players as we scored wonderful goals today.”
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The coach was also backed by his captain John Obi Mikel who noted that it is difficult to change five players to a team.
Mikel said: “Like the coach said in the last game we didn’t have some players available. Sometimes it is difficult to change five players to a team. I think that was what happened in the game against South Africa.”
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South Africa recorded their first-ever competitive victory over Nigeria on Saturday June 10, winning in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo 2-0.
Nigeria and South Africa had clashed 12 times before, during which time Bafana Bafana’s only victory was in a friendly 13 years ago.
However, Nigeria bounced back and took one step closer to the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 4 - 0 win over Cameroon in their qualifier played on Friday September 1.
Goals from Odion Ighalo, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho ensured that the Super Eagles record an emphatic 4-0 victory over their West African rivals.
Nigeria top Group B with nine points after three games with Cameroon in second place with two points.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng asked Nigerians if the Super Eagles are always better than the Indomitable Lions. Watch video below.
Source: Legit.ng
