Super Eagles players Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has charged his players to step up their game when they take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Jacques Lemans Arena in the Austrian city of St. Veit an der Glan.
The Franco-German tactician made the charge following the narrow loss to defending champions, Algeria last Friday in Klagenfurt, Austria.
The Franco-German tactician admits the absence of a number of first-team players somewhat weakened the texture of his band, but has challenged the squad to up the ante and show vibrancy especially in the fore against the 2004 African champions.
“We definitely must put up a greater effort against the Tunisians. It is an opportunity for some of the players to rise up to the occasion, stake a claim.
“They are ready to go and I believe we would see a much better game on Tuesday.”
Nigeria capped four new players against the African champions, with midfield dependables Wilfred Ndidi, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and Oghenekaro Etebo, as well as forward Victor Osimhen unavailable.
In their absence, Rohr had to start first-cap Frank Onyeka along Alex Iwobi and defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi in midfield, and Paul Onuachu as the lone striker.
In a match that also saw wing back Zaidu Sanusi, centre-back Kevin Akpoguna and midfielder Samson Tijani also earn their first senior caps, the Eagles huffed and puffed and strove hard to find cohesion and some sort of solidity, but failed to match the mentality and organization of the Fennecs.
All 24 players in camp were involved in yesterday’s evening’s training session, and are available for selection.
Meanwhile, ahead of tonight’s match, a fresh round of COVID-19 tests was conducted yesterday on players and officials of the Super Eagles and results would be known in a few hours to kick-off.
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