Speaking at the post-match press conference shortly after the Super Eagles beat Cameroon 3-2 in a round of 16 AFCON clash in Alexandria, coach Gernot Rohr provided a fresh injury update on the availability of skipper John Obi Mikel and Abdullahi Shehu for their next game against South Africa.
While Mikel suffered a knee injury in the final Group B match against Madagascar, the Bursaspor fullback is believed to have sustained a training ground injury in the final workout before the opener vs Burundi, and Rohr finally confirmed the information on Saturday evening, though the defender was risked for the game and was eventually substituted before the end of the first half.
''We hope that Shehu can come back, he was already on the bench today. We lost two players in the last training session before the match against Burundi, Shehu and Kalu, so it was not easy,'' Rohr told reporters including allnigeriasoccer.com.
''I am happy that we have competition for other players against Madagascar also which gives us opportunity if somebody is tired, injured or has a yellow card.
''We will have a look and give other players a chance to play, it depends on the opponent of course. If it is Egypt it will be a tough game, South Africa were difficult opponents in our group stage.''
''I am happy that we have competition for other players against Madagascar also which gives us opportunity if somebody is tired, injured or has a yellow card.
''We will have a look and give other players a chance to play, it depends on the opponent of course. If it is Egypt it will be a tough game, South Africa were difficult opponents in our group stage.''
The Super Eagles will return to the training pitch of the Arab Academy For Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria on Sunday to begin their preparations for the quarterfinal tie vs South Africa.
''Now let us focus on the recuperation, we want to recover well here in Alexandria tomorrow and after tomorrow, and prepare for the quarterfinal, staying all the time humble.
''This lesson of humility against Madagascar was very good for my players, and we have to stay humble, work hard.
''This lesson of humility against Madagascar was very good for my players, and we have to stay humble, work hard.
''We made mistakes conceding two goals, we have to take a look again and see what happened, we have to be more disciplined,'' the former Bayern Munich defender added.
On Mikel's availability, Rohr explained : ''Obi Mikel is trying to run already so we will see. Four days is a short time. We recovered already Collins to give us a solution on the left-back position.
''Obi Mikel we will try the best, I have a wonderful medical staff and I think we can do something.''
''Obi Mikel we will try the best, I have a wonderful medical staff and I think we can do something.''
Mikel was deployed as an attacking midfielder in his two starts against Burundi and Madagascar and it is believed that the former Chelsea star is now behind Alex Iwobi in the pecking order of playmakers.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : cafonline.com
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