Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has voiced his sentiments on the team’s preparations for an upcoming international friendly vs Mexico.
Nigeria will face Mexico on July 3 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the State ofCalifornia in the United States.
CONCACAFGold Cup holders, Mexico will take on the Eagles as part of the MexTour Series that will see them play three matches beforeclashing with Nigeria.
No overseas-based Nigerian stars were called up for the game, with domestically-based talent now poised to prosecute the fixture. The Nigeria team will be coached by Augustine Eguavoen, a former Nigerian international who is presently the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Rohr, who has been present at all of the team’s training sessions in Abuja, spoke about his impressions so far.
“They (the footballers) are doing well,” he said. “Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the State ofCalifornia, United States of America.
“They are learning. The home-based players are in the rhythm of the competition.”
Rohr then explained why overseas-based talent was overlooked for the fixture.
“All the (overseas-based) Super Eagles (players) are actually now on holidays or resuming, very soon, training sessions with their clubs. They could not come (for the friendly game versus Mexico),” he revealed.
“That’s why it’s good to encourage these home-based players. They will have a difficult game. It is not impossible to win against Mexico.
“Mexico has a great team but each match is open and I see some players (here) with good qualities. They are working hard, they’re doing two training sessions a day and we are watching them, monitoring what they are doing and there will be a friendly (game for them), I hope and a good selection for the departure of the team to the US.
“The coaches are doing well. They are Austin (Eguavoen) and Paul (Aigbogun) with my goalkeeper trainer (Alloy Agu) and the selection will be okay.”
Story by Sammy Wejinya
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