Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that it was a tactical decision not to start Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers top scorer Ighalo in the 1-0 victory against Burundi on Saturday.
The former Watford star took his place among the substitutes before scoring the game-winner in the 77th minute, four minutes after coming off the bench to replace Paul Onuachu, who toiled fruitlessly.
''Burundi were in the same group with Mali and qualified, we saw the games, they were unbeaten in the qualifiers,'' Rohr said post-match after the game at the Alexandria Stadium.
''It is not easy especially as it was difficult to score the first goal. If the first goal does not come early, we suffer and have to work hard to win the match.
''Our plan was to bring in Ighalo when the other team perhaps give us more space and it happened today but we had a big problem physically.''
''It is not easy especially as it was difficult to score the first goal. If the first goal does not come early, we suffer and have to work hard to win the match.
''Our plan was to bring in Ighalo when the other team perhaps give us more space and it happened today but we had a big problem physically.''
Rohr had been sweating over the fitness of several key players before today's fixture and got more bad news on Friday when Samuel Kalu collapsed in training and Abdullahi Shehu suffered an injury.
''So many players were sick in the last two weeks, there was a virus and half of the team had fever, was tired and could not train.
''Musa and Shehu could not complete the first half. Yesterday we lost two players in the training session.
''I am happy that the solidarity of the team made the difference.''
''Musa and Shehu could not complete the first half. Yesterday we lost two players in the training session.
''I am happy that the solidarity of the team made the difference.''
The Super Eagles face Guinea in the second Group B match on Wednesday, June 26 and a win would see them advance to the round of 16.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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