The Super Eagles did not have fighting spirit against Madagascar because they had already qualified for the knockout rounds of the AFCON, according to a disappointed coach Gernot Rohr.
“We missed the fighting spirit, we didn’t have the desire Madagascar had,” Rohr said after the islanders shocked the Eagles 2-0 today in Alexandria to finish top of Group B.
“This was a thing of the mind because we were already qualified.
“But we have seen that it’s not easy to win games at this AFCON.”
He explained he rested as many as five players including Kenneth Omeruo and Wilfred Ndidi to avoid injuries and suspensions in the knockout stage.
He disclosed that leftback Jamilu Collins is now available for selection after he has fully recovered from a thigh injury, which forced him to miss the team’s first three games.
“The next game for us is the most important,” he said.
The Eagles as runners-up in Group B will tackle the runners-up in Group F, which as it stands now would be Ghana.
The match will be played on Saturday in Alexandria.
