Rohr on win vs Cape Verde, missing players, going behind, Central African Republic

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr was delighted to see his side secure their second successive win in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers following a 2-1 victory over Cape Verde at the Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena, Mindelo on Tuesday evening.

The Franco-German faced a selection headache before the meeting with the Blue Sharks with ten players that were part of the team that defeated Liberia unavailable for selection due to a Premier League and SPFL ruling, and Covid-19 related absences.

The odds were stacked against the Nigerians as the game was played on a synthetic pitch, a playing surface some of the players are not used to.

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference, Rohr said : "It was a difficult game for us because Cape Verde have a very good team used to playing on the synthetic pitch, and we had to build a new team after the first match against Liberia.

"Ten players missing, so it was not easy in only three days to build another team but in Nigeria we have players everywhere, all over the world like you could see today seven or eight new players who played.

"They are still on the same level like the other ones who played against Liberia so we are happy to win this game."

Nigeria fell behind in the 19th minute when Tavares pounced on a lofted pass from midfield and beat the Nigerians' offside trap and hit the ball past Maduka Okoye in goal.

At minute 29, Victor Osimhen restored parity following a defensive error before a Kenny Santos own goal in the 76th minute gifted the Super Eagles all the three points.

"When you are losing 1-0, you concede the first goal, and you play away in other conditions like we are used, it is not easy to come back against a good team of Cape Verde, to score a goal and then a second goal.

"Of course the second goal was a little bit fortunate but we made a good pressing and then the defender wants to give a pass to his goalkeeper, so we could take advantage of that," Rohr added.

The three-time African champions will be facing Central African Republic in back-to-back games next month and Rohr is targeting victories in both matches.

"Now we start with two victories which is very good but we still have to win other games, two games against Central African Republic to come in three weeks and a half, so we have to continue winning our games to be in the list.

"We had also some Covid problems like you know but the solidarity of the team was clear and we could manage the situation," the former Bayern Munich defender concluded.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel