Gernot Rohr has said it was important the Super Eagles got off to a winning start against Liberia on the road to qualifying for next year’s World Cup, but Tuesday’s clash in Cape Verde will be a tougher challenge for the team.
A first-half brace by Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho sealed a home win for Nigeria against the Lone Star in Lagos.
“The job has been done. We had to win our first game at home and we didn’t concede a goal,” Rohr said after the home victory.
“We got the victory which is important for World Cup qualification.”
However, the coach admitted both he and the Eagles face a more difficult challenge in Cape Verde next week as they will be without nine players because Cape Verde is on the UK Red List for Coronavirus safety regulations.
“We will be without nine players, including the goal scorer today Kelechi (Iheanacho), that means it will be another team and it is not easy to build a new team within days,” he said.
“We will also play on synthetic pitch.
“This will be a challenge for both the staff and the players.
“It will be more difficult than against Liberia.”
Nigeria top Group C with three points after a round of matches, while Cape Verde and Central African Republic are on a point each.
