Gernot Rohr has stressed the importance of a Nigerian victory against Libya in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo, but is confident that his side can live up to the occasion.
The Super Eagles may have defeated the Seychelles away in last month’s qualifier, but they are finding themselves under increasing pressure to take all three points against the table-toppers in front of their own fans.
Libya’s currently lead Group E on four points after thumping the Seychelles before demonstrating their obduracy by taking a point from South Africa in Durban on September 8.
“I don’t see it as pressure,” Rohr told KweséESPN. “I see it as a pleasure to be playing this game, and I know that by the end of these two matches, we hope to be closer to qualifying for the Nations Cup.
“This is a very important game for us, because we lost our first game against South Africa,” he added. “That means we have to win, so we to go out and to attack to win this game.
“We have to be very careful, because they are very organised defensively, and very strong in the counterattack.”
For Watford striker Isaac Success, making his return to the squad in light of some improved fortunes in Hertfordshire, the desire to end Nigeria’s wait for an AFCON appearance ought to be the major motivating factor for the squad.
“We have missed two Nations Cup tournaments,” Success tells KweséESPN. “The Nations Cup is a big tournament and it is my dream to play there.
“A country as big as Nigeria cannot afford to miss out again, and we have to do everything to qualify.”
The Super Eagles were absent from the 2015 and 2017 editions of the tournament, having won their third title in 2013.
Tagged with: betting news • football • footballnews • sport betting
