5 things Gernot Rohr said after Super Eagles friendly

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Monday, May 28 played out a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their last home game before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead in the first half at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

DR Congo got their goal from the penalty spot trough Ben Malango in the 78th minute.

These are five things Super Eagles boss told Pulse Sports after the game.

1. Impressed with Simy Nwankwo

Making his debut for the Super Eagles, Simeon Nwankwo played all 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

Super Eagles boss Rohr was pleased with the performance of the Crotone striker.

“I’m satisfied with the performance of Simy. He is a natural centre-forward. He didn’t have a profile until we found him,” Rohr said after the game.

2. Feedback on Lokosa

Another debutant was Kano Pillars striker Junior Lokosa who played from the right against DR Congo. Rohr in his post-match comment praised Lokosa for working hard and playing according to instruction.

“He worked very hard and did exactly what he was told. Been with the national team has been a nice experience for him.”

3. Why Mikel and Ighalo were left out

Super Eagles skipper Mikel John Obi and Odion Ighalo were the bench all through the game and Rohr revealed that he made the decision to rest the players after their long trips from China.

“Two of them made the team and the pitch was not easy to play on. We didn’t want to take the risk of playing some players who arrived tired coming from China.

4. Full strength against England

The Super Eagles will jet out to London where they will face England in a friendly game on Saturday, June 2.

After the game against DR Congo, Rohr revealed that he will use a full-strength team including Victor Moses against England.

“I think in few days, we will have a full complement of our team with , Ighalo and Mikel. I think the team will be better than what we saw against Congo when we play on Saturday (against England). It was interesting to see everybody play.”

5. World Cup squad

Rohr is expected to drop five players before Super Eagles head to London and reveal his final 23 players before Monday, June 4.

The Super Eagles boss, however, revealed that he knows his 20 players already with the decision on the other three to be made after the games against DR Congo and England.