Rohr won’t ‘underrate’ Sierra Leone, Eagles await COVID-19 results

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has promised that his team will treat Sierra Leone with respect when both teams meet in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benin City on Friday.

Although Rohr’s team are ranked 32nd in the world by FIFA and their opponents 120th, the German is not taking anything for granted as he seeks to lead Nigeria to his third major tournament.

“We do not in any way underrate the Sierra Leoneans that we play over two legs within these four days, but we have our focus and objective for the matches,” Rohr told the Nigeria Football Federation’s communications department. 

“We want to win both games so we can have the ticket and be able to be little more relaxed for the final games. You know that next year, we also have the World Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better to get the AFCON job behind us now. 

“I am excited by the spirit of the players and their sense of dedication and commitment. We have not played a competitive match in a year, but they look very ready and good to go. Our mission is the six points in these two matches.”

The Super Eagles lead the qualifying group with six points from two matches, while Sierra Leone have just one point from the same number of matches.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles players and officials undertook the mandatory COVID-19 tests on Wednesday, with the results expected on Thursday.

Also, Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku will officiate at the match, to be assisted by his compatriots Gilbert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (assistant referee 1), Tony Mudanyi Kidiya (assistant referee 2) and Anthony Juma Ogwayo (fourth official).

Solomon Gebreselassie Abebe from Ethiopia will be the match commissioner while Attama Ibrahim Boureima from Niger Republic will be referee assessor.