CAR v Nigeria: Gernot Rohr has every advantage to make amends for shock defeat
Solace Chukwu
Oct 09, 2021 11:31 UTC -05:00


With probability, superior quality and secure footing on his side, the German coach cannot afford to fluff his lines again on Sunday in Douala

The morning after Thursday’s shock defeat at the hands of Central African Republic, for many fans of the Nigeria national team, assumed a very dream-like quality.

Much has been made of the fact Nigeria had previously not lost a home World Cup qualifier for 40 years, an entire generation witnessing the Super Eagles defeated on their own patch for the first time. However, even that piece of momentous history paled in comparison to the standing of the victor concerned; 1981’s defeat to Algeria stung and scarred, but it did at least come to the side that had contested the Africa Cup of Nations Final a year prior, and that would stun the mighty Germans a year on at the World Cup in Spain.

Central African Republic have no meaningful footprint of any kind in African football.

Think David against Goliath, but in this instance David with one hand tied behind his back and wearing a patch over one eye.

Still, the victory was comfortable and well earned. Gernot Rohr crowed after the game about missed chances, but the closest his side came was Victor Osimhen hitting the frame of the goal with a miscued cross. It was a siege, but one lacking in conviction, logic or contemplation and so easily rebuffed.

The visitors seemed clear in the conception of their own game plan, and took great care in implementing it.

The most damning aspect of the defeat was that, save for throwing on the entire bench’s worth of forwards, Nigeria failed to offer a different look at any point during the proceedings.

Instead, there was panic, a frenzied state that built confidence in the hearts and minds of the Wild Beasts and directly culminated in their late winner.

To finish the game with Ahmed Musa unconvincingly moonlighting as a quasi-midfielder, even if the score had remained goalless at the final blast of the referee’s whistle, would have been excellent validation for the Central African Republic’s efforts by itself.

So it is that Nigeria retain top spot in the group, but by a smaller margin than anyone would have envisaged after three matches: both Cape Verde and Central African Republic being only two points behind. This then imbues Sunday’s rematch with greater significance, as anything less than a win would see Cape Verde level up the points’ differential or even go top. It is now all so needlessly perilous.

However, that broader view is one which Rohr’s side cannot afford to take.

It would be helpful to tune out every other consideration, and reduce the occasion to a simple meeting of the respective teams. Within that dynamic, individual quality (let’s face it: that is the only edge, especially as Nigeria’s German boss has already shown himself to be tactically inferior to Raoul Savoy) should guarantee superiority nine times out of ten, especially with a couple of factors taken into account.

For one thing, by its very nature a performance like that from the visitors is unlikely to repeat itself, born as it was of a historic effort.

The hand has been played, and will have been noted by Rohr and his staff. In theory it will be a lot easier to assess (and access) any chinks in the armour and raise the stakes.

Also, the surface in Douala will offer more security underfoot, and make execution easier for Nigeria. The pitch at the Teslim Balogun Stadium was and has been a handicap, albeit a self-inflicted one. Creation is a more difficult, more precise action than destruction, and so on Thursday the bumpy terrain was the ally of the Central African Republic. This will not be the case in Cameroon on Sunday.

Leon Balogun - Nigeria vs Central African Republic
Of course, this just means there can be no excuses, and nowhere to hide for Nigeria and their 68-year-old coach should lightning strike twice.

That carries its own pressure, but also an imperative to be the protagonist on the day. The question though is: what exactly can Rohr do differently?

His midfield selection has already significantly hamstrung the team, limiting his range of solutions, and if Thursday taught anything, it is that more forwards into the fray is no answer in itself without the means to disrupt the opponent’s organisation and supply ammunition to them.

A three at the back system – preferably 3-4-3 – would seem a reasonable compromise, especially as Central African Republic showed little appetite for attacking through the wide areas in the first game. The task of creativity would then go onto the inside forwards, in the absence of a proper creator in the squad.

That is one solution of many possible, of course; what is clear is that Rohr must do something different in Douala. With two extra days of swotting under his belt, the German now faces probably the sternest examination of his time in charge of Nigeria, but from the unlikeliest of sources.

Ppogbae:
Ajagba is such a poor fighter. No head movement, slow punching and no punching output. Just no sense of urgency.

was shocked to see this is his first defeat, must have been fighting some bunch of high school students before now

minfelix:
Abuja stadium is looking clean and Behind now like this douala stadium...pitch surface of Uyo is turning into an eye sore

It is looking better.

Good morning everyone ...its match day today

Hopefully we get a win today

CornOak:


In one of the wins, his opponent came into the ring and left immediately the starting bell rang.

It was counted as victory for him.

Nevertheless, he's a decent fighter and still coming up.

I remember that incident, I think he left just to spite his promoter or so. Ajagba have a lot of learning to do

Strugglingman:
Good morning everyone ...its match day today

Hopefully we get a win today

Hopefully? No longer certainly!! Nigeria is now a minnow

Overthemoonman:
Saka and Tammy scored for England. I think, Fikayo has finally been captied now.
I pity for Tammy and Fikayo sha. Their chances of going to world cup is still very slim compared to Saka that has at least 60% chance of making it to world cup.

Una Dey Pity for people wey Dey happy

U no Dey tire

drDoom3:
See what our mates Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria are doing to small opposition. Using them to stat-pad. Meanwhile we're hoping to even draw an even smaller opposition tomorrow.

I don't think Rohr can mange our current crop of talents well enough. We need to look for a better coach, fast.

Don’t forget Ghana is also winning

andrewbaba44:


Don’t forget Ghana is also winning

Even Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa are producing respectable scorelines in difficult groups.

ChrisKels:


This is a very stupid thing to say. How would you leave the clueless one as the head coach, then assign the role of assistant to the tactician? Lol no wonder Buhari is our president while a professor is his deputy. The mentality of an average Nigerian is sickening

Lol

minfelix:


Hopefully? No longer certainly!! Nigeria is now a minnow

NIGERIAS GREATEST WEAKNESS IS THAT WE HAVE A BADWEAK COACH
WHO CANNOT READ A MATCH, INVITE THE BEST PLAYERS OR MAKE THE RIGHT SUBSTITUTION
THIS IS THE MAJOR PROBLEM.
OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES HAVE NOTICED ROHRS WEAKNESS AND ARE SIMPLY CAPITALIZING ON IT.
CAR CAN READ US LIKE A BOOK. WE ARE SO OBVIOUS
JUST STUFF THE MIDFIELD AND DEFENCE WITH PLAYERS AND THEN WE WONT HAVE SPACE
AND HIT US WITH LONG BALLS.
IN FACT, THEY KNOW WE NEED NDIDI REMEMBER BENIN (I DONT REMEMBER THE COUNTRY)
GAVE IWOBI FAKE COVID REPORT BECAUSE THEY SAW OUR GAME REVOLVES AROUND HIM
ROHR IS SO LIMITED AND HIS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IS A BIG PROBLEM
I CALL IT THE ROHR FACTOR
WE MIGHT GET TO THE SEMIFINAL OF THE NATIONS CUP
AND THEN WE MIGHT EVEN NOT QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP
AND IF WE DO, WE WONT GO PASS THE GROUP STAGE
ROHR HAS SERIOUS LIMITATIONS IN HIS THINKING HE NEEDS TO WORK ON

Tyson Fury no be anybody mate ooo, see as him take Wilder mop floor once again! Na this guy AJ wan fight? Lol this guy go just end AJ boxing career

jihday:
Nigerians truly have short memory, God forbid Oliseh becomes our coach. His tenure was very toxic, oliseh started a player physically unfit, it was so bad that the player had to be removed before half time. Abeg make una talk another thing

Lukman Haruna .. I swear, I wanted to magically enter the stadium and slap Haruna that day.

Can Senegal shock the world (again)? A rock-solid spine of stars led by Mane, Mendy and Koulibaly are shaping up as Africa's best bet to cause a big upset in Qatar next year - and finally eclipse their unforgettable class of 2002

Senegal boast a number of top players plying their trade in European football
They are led in attack by Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Watford's Ismaila Sarr
In goal they have Chelsea's Edouard Mendy, with Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of him
PSG duo Idrissa Gueye and Abdou Diallo are also cornerstones of the team
The 2002 class, including El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao, reached the quarters
Can this current crop match that feat and go deep at next year's World Cup?
It is perhaps the most famously ambitious prediction about the future of African football which never saw the light of day - nor came anywhere close. It still hasn't.


The year was 1974 when Pele, a three-time winner with Brazil, boldly forecasted an African winner of the World Cup by the year 2000.

In fact, 21 years into the 21st century, the furthest any African nation has been is the quarter-finals. One of the three teams to do so was a Senegal side which stunned the world back in 2002 in South Korea .

Now, the country's next generation of stars have their eyes on a deep run in Qatar next yea

They face Namibia twice within the next week in the second round of African qualifying, with the continent's representatives in the 2022 World Cup boiling down towards five two-legged ties early next year in the third round.

Pele once boldly forecasted an African winner of the World Cup by the year 2000 +12
Pele once boldly forecasted an African winner of the World Cup by the year 2000
Senegal are, undoubtedly, amongst the favourites to qualify. Why? The west African nation has landed their next generation of stars, in the midst of impressive careers in European football, and should be not be underestimated should they make it to Qatar.

Three years ago in Russia, led by Cheikhou Kouyate, the Senegalese were decidedly unfortunate not to qualify for the knockout stages. They finished joint-second in their group with Japan, but missed out by virtue of a poorer fair play record.

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But Senegal, in 2002, are one of only three African nations to have reached the quarter-finals +12
But Senegal, in 2002, are one of only three African nations to have reached the quarter-finals
In 2019, they reached the final of the African Cup of Nations where they disappointingly lost to Algeria in the final. They will hope to go one better in the New Year when the continent's stars face off in Cameroon.

But the ultimate goal will be success on the grandest stage of them all. And what constitutes success? For this current crop, the knockout stages. But they will have their eye on another last-eight spot too.

Their squad is littered with stars, spearheaded by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. A loyal contributor to his country, Mane has scored 25 goals in 77 caps since making his debut in 2012 and will be in the team playing Namibia despite the inconvenience that will cause with quarantining on his return to the UK.

Edouard Mendy, Chelsea's No 1, will have to undergo a similar fortnight. The Champions League winner gives his country something a lot of African countries don't have: a first-class goalkeeper playing at the highest level.

Edouard Mendy, Chelsea's No 1, is a first class goalkeeper who is aa big asset to his country +12
Edouard Mendy, Chelsea's No 1, is a first class goalkeeper who is aa big asset to his country
In midfield is PSG's Idrissa Gueye, who has the most caps out of the current bunch with 80 +12
In midfield is PSG's Idrissa Gueye, who has the most caps out of the current bunch with 80
Ahead of him in defence is Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly - who has taken over from Kouyate as the captain - alongside PSG's Abdou Diallo. As centre back partnerships go, not half bad.



In midfield is another PSG star in Idrissa Gueye. The ex-Everton man, who scored and starred in last week's win against Manchester City, is their all-encompassing box-to-box player. Leicester's Nampalys Mendy, or indeed Kouyate, are also workaholics to be utilised in midfield.

Then alongside Mane in attack you have Watford's Ismaila Sarr, who has already registered 36 caps at the age of 23, and Villarreal's Boulaye Dia.

All in all, it's a first-class bunch of players, definitely the best player-for-player outfit in Africa.

Alongside Mane in attack you have Watford's Ismaila Sarr, who has 36 caps to his name +12
Alongside Mane in attack you have Watford's Ismaila Sarr, who has 36 caps to his name
Their manager is Aliou Cisse, who captained his country at the 2002 World Cup +12
Their manager is Aliou Cisse, who captained his country at the 2002 World Cup
Their target now is to achieve on the international stage - and to no longer live in the shadows of the class of 2002.

That side was, aside from hosts South Korea, the story of the 2002 World Cup.

They famously beat world champions France in their opening match, with Papa Bouba Diop - who sadly passed away last year - bundling in the game's only goal from close range.

Draws with Denmark and Uruguay assured them of a last-16 tie against Sweden, who they beat 2-1 after extra time courtesy of a Henri Camara double.

Papa Bouba Diop bundles in from close range to give Senegal victory against France in 2002 +12
Papa Bouba Diop bundles in from close range to give Senegal victory against France in 2002
The likes of El Hadji Diouf, who later moved to Liverpool, were heroes in their homeland +12
The likes of El Hadji Diouf, who later moved to Liverpool, were heroes in their homeland
They then lost to Turkey, also after extra time, in the quarter-finals in Osaka. Nonetheless, a team of youngsters, many of who would go on to play at English clubs, were overnight heroes in their homeland.

El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao moved to Liverpool, Camara joined Wolves and then countless Premier League outfits, while Bouba Diop joined Fulham.

And who was their captain? Montpellier defender Aliou Cisse, who has been the national team manager now since 2015.

A good omen, one would think, for success in Qatar next year.

This Senegal side should not be underestimated if they make it to the World Cup next year +12
This Senegal side should not be underestimated if they make it to the World Cup next year
Assuming qualification is secured in the coming months, Senegal will not be a team to take lightly, with quality all over the pitch, particularly down the spine of the team.

Who knows? Should a favourable draw open up, maybe Pele's prediction of yesteryear could finlly come true in the heat of the Middle East next winter.


Stay tuned.

SENEGAL'S CLASS OF 2002
GK - Tony Sylva

DF - Omar Daf

MF - Pape Sarr

DF - Papa Malick Diop

DF - Alassane N'Dour

DF - Aliou Cisse (c)

FW- Henri Camara

FW - Amara Traoré

FW - Souleymane Camara

MF - Khalilou Fadiga

FW - El Hadji Diouf

MF - Amdy Faye

DF - Lamine Diatt

MF - Moussa N'Diaye

MF - Salif Diao

GK - Omar Diallo

DF - Ferdinand Coly

FW - Pape Thiaw

MF - Papa Bouba Diop

MF - Sylvain N'Diaye

DF - Habib Beye

GK - Kalidou Cissokho

MF - Makhtar N'Diaye

Strugglingman:
Good morning everyone ...its match day today

Hopefully we get a win today

3 points.

Does anyone knows how Rohr will likely approach this game,how will he set the team for this game?...
Or he will just tell the players "Go there and show them what you are made of"

Clint02:
Does anyone knows how Rohr will likely approach this game,how will he set the team for this game?...
Or he will just tell the players "Go there and show them what you are made of"

Rorh can be very funny. That man may start amhed musa in place of Ejuke

Clint02:
Does anyone knows how Rohr will likely approach this game, how will he set the team for this game?...
Or he will just tell the players "Go there and show them what you are made of"

As usual nothing new. He is definitely clueless. He will only hope on few players' individual performance to get a win which we all hope it happens today.

justvictor57:


As usual nothing new. He is definitely clueless. He will only hope on few players' individual performance to get a win which we all hope it happens today.

Does he even study most of these renowned coaches,can't he just introduce any of their tactics. At least let us see a playing style.
Presently there is no playing style,which makes even the players clueless on what to play or execute. I wonder what he even tells them

damagnificentusb:


Rorh can be very funny. That man may start amhed musa in place of Ejuke

There is nothing Rohr cannot do.

minfelix:


Hopefully? No longer certainly!! Nigeria is now a minnow

yea , "hopefully". ..because currently, nothing is certain with the super eagles

And pls ...Nigeria is not a minnow ,atleast not yet

Truidstar:
3 points.

yea...a must




But not certain

Ppogbae:


Sponsorship. Onyema is paying the NFF to patronize their airlines.

NFF paying him Or he is giving NFF discount...abegii let's get it straight ohh

damagnificentusb:


Rorh can be very funny. That man may start amhed musa in place of Ejuke

lol


Whots wrong with ahmed musa starting ....

Personally I believe the things a gathering of Nigerians can do is limitless. There are many possibilities in such gathering,which is driven by that Nigerian spirit. Tho there needs to be a leader who knows what he/she is doing.

Kickoff time for today’s match is 2pm Nigerian time..

jihday:
I’ve always found this ‘hire a tactician for him’ confusing, if he can’t do the job sack him and hire someone who can. No be him family chieftaincy title na

It is annoying mate. Sometime ago, people were suggesting that he be sent on a refresher course, so that he could do better. For fvcks sake, who does that? Are we running a charity down here, or are we being this soft because he is a white man? Which serious business owner employs unqualified workers with the view of training them with his business money so that they could deliver the services he needed? If you are not qualified, go sort yourself out while the qualified ones do the jobs. Nobody ever suggested sending our indigenous coaches on a refresher course which will benefit the country more, but we wanted to do it(if we didn't do it already) for some foreigner who would walk away some day leaving us to our mess. Tufiakwa!!!

Clint02:
Does anyone knows how Rohr will likely approach this game,how will he set the team for this game?...
Or he will just tell the players "Go there and show them what you are made of"

I think he said there will be about 2-3 changes in the team

jihday:
I think he said there will be about 2-3 changes in the team

Akpoguma at right back

damagnificentusb:

Akpogyma at right back

Akpogunma for Aina.. Musa for Ejuke... Okoye for Uzoho

ChrisKels:
Tyson Fury no be anybody mate ooo, see as him take Wilder mop floor once again! Na this guy AJ wan fight? Lol this guy go just end AJ boxing career

Tyson fury beat wilder like person wey go thief electronics for alaba international market