The Super Eagles of Nigeria got off to a poor start in the race to be at the 2019 AFCON by losing 0-2 to South Africa, their first loss under new coach Gernot Rohr as well as their first ever loss to South Africa in a competitive game.
Two second half goals condemned the Super Eagles to defeat in Uyo, and left them playing catch up after just one game in the qualifying series. However Rohr who has guided Nigeria to a run of seven games without a loss before today is confident of his team chances despite the setback.
Rohr however bemoans his team poor finishing especially when they had chances in the first half, insisting that the first goal scored by South Africa made his side nervous and cost them the entire game.
“We failed to convert our opportunities and when they scored, my young team became nervous and started to make mistakes.
“It is a sad result, but we win together and we lose together, and when a team gets this kind of result, it looks within and rectifies whatever shortcomings in order to achieve better results subsequently. This can only make us stronger”, he said at the post match conference.
Osas Mahawi
