Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is confident on his team’s chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations after been drawn into what he labels an uneasy Group B also comprising Burundi, Madagascar and Guinea, reports Completesports.com.
Rohr led Nigeria to qualify for the AFCON 2019 tournament with a game to spare also admits that the Super Eagles opponents are not easy teams.
“It’s a group that is not easy. Madagascar were the first team to qualify for the tournament,” Rohr said after the draw in Cairo.
“Burundi have the second top scorer in the AFCON qualification while Guinea have a young team, and I think it’s not going to be easy but we are confident.”
Fiston Abdul-Razak of Burundi scored six goals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, one behind top scorer Odion Ighalo.
Both Madagascar and Burundi – Saido Berahino’s team, are two of the three teams making their debut at this year’s tournament.
Rohr also urges his players to finish their season well and avoid injuries so as to be fully fit for the tournament.”
“To my players, they have to finish the season well and not to be injured. We can be confident.”
By Johnny Edward
8 Comments
Well, the plot thickens. I had completely forgotten that Berahino is Burundian. Together with Abdul-Razak, that’s a forward line that can cause serious havoc. We obviously need to cut off supply lines to these two. Guinea we know have Naby Keita and are a solid side – undefeated in the qualifiers, even against CIV. As for Madagascar, who knows what surprises they have in store for us? As always,failure to prepare is equal to preparation for failure. A word is enough for the wise.
Pompei, you are right. I have watched clips of Fiston Abdul Razak of Burundi so I want to serve a note of caution to Balogun, Omeruo and Akpeyi in particular.
This is a striker that profits from defensive lapses and occasional loss of concentration at the back: he will punish you if you take your eyes off the ball.
As for Berahinio, that is the Burundi equivalent of Iheanacho: huge promise unrealised through questionable work ethics.
The guy is talented no doubt, but if Burundi had more household names, I very much doubt whether he would even make the squad because his commitment to his career has often been called to question.
Having said all that, if he chooses to work hard and put up a show in Egypt, then it will make the match more interesting than I am anticipating.
Deo sir, you are the real chairman here. Thank you sir.
I am not always right. And I absolutely welcome it when I am corrected in a civil manner. We are all supposed to be matured minds here, and hopefully we can also be friends. And we are all drawn together by one thing – love of football and especially the Super Eagles. I noticed that some forumites are so obsessed with other forumites comments. If I start feeling that making a comment here is equivalent to writing an exam, then I might as well stop. I have written enough exams in my life already. This one that some here are checking all my comments to see if my spelling is right, or my facts are right, or whether I am 100& wrong, how far na? Please, let us take it easy and enjoy this beautiful website together, and hopefully, each other’s comments.
@Pompei, you are getting it all wrong. Abdul-Razak is from Madagascar while Saido Berahino is the BURUNDIAN. They are not together. They play for different countries.
Chairmanfemi, I know it’s been a long day. You’re probably tired and hungry. Go and get something to eat, and get some rest. When your energy level is back, read this article again. If you don’t believe Johnny Edward, kindly google FISTON ABDOUL-RAZAK.
Cheers!
I agreed with you coach. No minor team in Africa anymore. This year Afcon is going to be interesting. All I can say at this point is that I am expecting Super Eagles to play good football in Egypt. Any team can win the tournament. God bless Nigeria!!!
Great info guys. I knew about Berahino but not about Abdoul-Rasak. I’m now encouraged to do more research on our opponents and watch their clips because non of these teams were invited, they beat fellow African teams to get here, hence we should accord them respect. However, the excitement is building and I can’t wait for June!!!
The group is good for us but am afraid. We can win the trophy if Gr invite our best players. Uzoho is good for und 23 not for super eagles.we have better defendes than oyinbo wall. K nwakali is better than iwobi. Semi ajayi has no buisness there. Here are the players to invite Anderson esiti. Stephen eze. K nwakali. Azubuike okechukwu. T ebuehi.