Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says the Super Eagles of Nigeria won’t approach their African Cup of Nations first group game against Egypt with fear.
In an interview with ESPN, the German coach was asked about the danger that the Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah carries, the coach replies that his wards will be up to the task of keeping him quiet.
“It is a big challenge to play against Egypt in the first game and a player like Mohamed Salah,” Rohr told Espn.
“It is a big challenge for all our defence and also for all our team. We will defend collectively against him of course, and we are growing together since a few years now and I believe our defence is able to be efficient against such a fantastic player.”
Nigeria will open their campaign in group D against Egypt before taking on Sudan and finally Guinea Bissau, Rohr said the aim is to win the first two games and secure progress to the next round as it will afford him the chance to play some players who didn’t get to play in the first two games.
“I would like to win against the first two teams, and then I can bring in the third game, as I did in the last Afcon, the substitutes, and give rest to our starting players from the first two matches.
“If we win the first two matches it is not a problem, we are qualified and then we can change our team. But of course, nobody will be underrated, and we are not afraid of anybody.
“I think that the most important is to start well the competition. We will be very, very well prepared. We need to be ready for this first match against Egypt in Garoua.”
