Gernor Rohr
Gernot Rohr has said they will suspend
celebration on their victory over Libya until they secure the needed
points when they confront South Africa in their next African Cup of
Nations qualifiers in Johannesburg in November.
The Eagles fended off spirited efforts from the Libyans to hold on
for a nervy 3-2 win in Tunisia on Tuesday as they raced to the top of
Group E of the qualifying series.
Rohr hailed his wards for their performance but insisted they had to remain focused until they complete the job in South Africa.
“I compliment the boys for this match, but also for the last
few days. During training sessions, they all did very well. That’s not
easy after a long week.
“After winning two games against the same opposition we have
done well. Now we are heading in the right direction. Our mind is on the
next game against South Africa,” he said.
Speaking after the nervy encounter, Rohr said that his team could
have done better as he insisted on a better defence just as he did after
the first leg.
“I was not happy that we squandered a 2-0 lead only to win the
game with some minutes left in the encounter. But I congratulate my team
for this victory. It was a huge test of our character. We lost a 2 goal
lead but fought hard instead of dropping our heads.
“We will stay humble because we have not qualified for AFCON yet. We keep fighting.”
They will be guests of Bafana Bafana on November 17 in
Johannesburg, before they host bottom team Seychelles in a final game in
March 2019.
“A point from these games will be enough to qualify us,” Rohr
said. “We are not at the AFCON yet, but our chances are very good.”
His midfielder Wilfred Ndidi picked up a second booking in the
qualification series, thus ruling him out of next month’s crunch
qualifier against the South Africans.
The Eagles’ gaffer insisted the Leicester City midfielder’s absence
would not be felt because players like John Ogu and Ogenyi Onazi could
step up to replace him.
“My team will cope without Ndidi. We have others like Ogu John
who can play there and then Onazi too who can also play there. We will
cope without him,” Rohr said.