…says Eagles must complete work in Johannesburg
…insists team won’t miss suspended Ndidi
Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr has said that they would suspend celebration on their victory over Libya until they secure the needed points when they confront South Africa in their next African Cup of Nations qualifiers in Johannesburg in November.
The Eagles fended off spirited efforts from the Libyans to hold on for a nervy 3-2 win in Tunisia on Tuesday as they raced to the top of Group E of the qualifying series.
Rohr hailed his wards for their performance but insisted they had to remain focused until they complete the job in South Africa.
“I compliment the boys for this match, but also for the last few days. During training sessions, they all did very well. That’s not easy after a long week.
“After winning two games against the same opposition we have done well. Now we are heading in the right direction. Our mind is on the next game against South Africa,” he said.
After the encounter in Tunisia, Rohr said that his team could have done better as he insisted on a better defence just as he did after the first leg.
“I was not happy that we squandered a 2-0 lead only to win the game with some minutes left in the encounter. But I congratulate my team for this victory. It was a huge test of our character. We lost a two-goal lead but fought hard instead of dropping our heads.
“We will stay humble because we have not qualified for AFCON yet. We keep fighting.”
They will be guests of Bafana Bafana on November 17 in Johannesburg, before they host bottom team, Seychelles, in a final game in March 2019.
“A point from these games will be enough to qualify us,” Rohr said.
“We are not at the AFCON yet, but our chances are very good.”
His midfielder Wilfred Ndidi picked up a second booking in the qualification series, thus ruling him out of next month’s crunch qualifier against the South Africans.
The Eagles’ gaffer insisted that the Leicester City midfielder’s absence would not be felt because players like John Ogu and Ogenyi Onazi could step up to replace him.
“My team will cope without Ndidi. We have others like Ogu John who can play there and then Onazi too who can also play there. We will cope without him,” Rohr said.
