Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has highlighted a key vulnerability in Nigeria’s defence, which opponents exploited during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Rohr pointed out that the team’s central defenders are “not the quickest,” making them susceptible to set-piece attacks, particularly in the absence of Semi Ajayi.
“Without Ajayi, they look suspect defending set pieces against my team and also Rwanda,” Rohr noted.
Despite Nigeria’s struggles, Rohr urged caution for teams in the World Cup qualifiers, stressing that the Eagles’ form in the AFCON qualifiers doesn’t reflect their true potential.
“It will be very wrong to say the team we saw in the AFCON qualifiers will be the same next year for the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
Rohr, who led Nigeria for over five years, remains confident the team can turn their fortunes around when the World Cup qualifiers resume in March.”
Rohr’s team, Benin Republic, qualified alongside Nigeria from their group in the AFCON qualifiers, and both teams will go head-to-head once again next year, when the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup resume.
