An own goal from South Africa defender, Buhle Mkhwanazi, and a strike from striker, Lebo Mothiba ensured both sides got a point.

Rohr said his side drew with South Africa because they did not want to take a risk against the hosts.

“We started the first half very well but the second half was not too good,” Rohr told Super Sports after the game.

“We tried to score more goals in the second half but we did not want to take any risk because we knew a draw will qualify to 2019 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.”

The draw against the Bafana Bafana means Nigeria have qualified for next year’s African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Nigeria will now tackle Seychelles in their last fixture of the qualifying series.

Nigeria top the group with 10 points, while South Africa are second place with 9 points.

Libya are third place with 7 points, while Seychelles have a point.

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Leicester City forward, Ahmed Musa scored two goals for the Eagles in the second half of the game to become the first Nigerian player to have scored more than two goals in any World Cup tournament.

Rohr said his players understood that they had to fight to get the three points after half time.

The German tactician also said that three of his players did very well to stop the Iceland team from using set pieces to score.

”They understood that we had to fight, we played well in the second half. Iceland is a very good team, very strong, very organized, we know it. I think in the second half we deserved the victory,” Rohr told reporters post-match.

Rohr added: ”Set-pieces, we worked very much on it since the last game against Croatia, which I was satisfied with our organization but we have a problem with set-pieces.

”Today Omeruo came in who is very strong in the air, we had our three central defenders so it was much better today.

”We had Victor Moses who had more impact on the right side, and in the second half Ebuehi brought in his speed.”

Rohr’s side will now face Argentina in their final Group D clash on Tuesday night.

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The post World Cup 2018: Super Eagles coach, Rohr reveals why Nigeria beat Iceland 2-0 appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The Super Eagles fell 2-0 to the Balkans last weekend and the German seemed to have been keeping the truth to himself ever since.

But addressing his Wednesday press conference ahead of Friday’s second match against Iceland, the former Bayern Munich defender admitted that nine players named in the starting lineup were nervous.

He said the players were nervous playing in their first World Cup match against Croatia.

The Super Eagles stars that started a World Cup game for the first time in their careers are: Francis Uzoho, Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Brian Idowu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo.

Rohr said, ”9 out of the 11 players in the starting line-up against Croatia played their first World Cup match.

”Of course, nerves played a role there. But we worked on our set-pieces – both the offensive and the defensive ones. We know that we need to improve them.

”Our group is a tough one – the best in this World Cup, in my opinion. We should always keep that in mind. Croatia has one of the best midfield in the world.

”If you consider that, our organization wasn’t so bad. Croatia’s first goal was an own goal. Their first shot on target was in the 71st minute and it was a penalty. Therefore, we need to stay calm and focus on the next game.”

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The post World Cup 2018: Rohr finally gives reason Nigeria lost 2-0 to Croatia appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Rohr is, however, not giving anything away, until “the final moment”

“We have our team in our heart already but we will wait till the final moment before we give it out.

“We spent nine days in Austria, two training sessions everyday.

“This preparation gives us a possibility to see who is fit physically and who needs more time to be ready,” Rohr stated during his interaction with the media at the team’s base in Essentuki.

The German is also hoping that their enthusiasm will trump the Croat’s experience on Saturday.

“Croatia watched us against England and Czech Republic. The game will be a good one for both teams. It is an important game for the two teams as it is good to start with a win.

“They are more experienced than us but we have young team. There is big enthusiasm in the team. You know this desire, big enthusiasm can make a team perform better,” he added.

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The post Nigeria vs Croatia: Rohr reveals when Super Eagles starting XI will be known appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Mohammed finished off a stunning solo run with the equalizer to make it 2-2 against the Europa League champions.

It’s a goal that reminded football fans about Austin Jay Jay Okocha’s famous goal against Oliver Khan’s Bayern Munich.

“My goal is a message (for Super Eagles coach Gernot to call me up), everyday, I am pushing to play for Super Eagles,” the 24-year-old who plays for Norway’s Sarpsborg 08 said.

“I’m so excited to be back with the national team.

“I will always be available for my country.”

Speaking on the goal, Mohammed revealed advice he got from one of his coaches.

“One of my coaches always told me not to be in a hurry when I’m with the ball inside the box.

“I have scored goals like this even in Europe and I was so confident I could do it again,” he said.

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The post Nigeria vs Atletico Madrid: Usman Mohammed sends message to Rohr with wonder goal appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Nigeria took the lead in the first half through Simon Moses, before the hosts equalized through a Vincent Aboubakar penalty with 15 minutes left.

Rohr, who saw his team crush Cameroon 4-0 on Friday, praised the Indomitable Lions for raising their game.

“It was a difficult match, but I expected that from a team that lost 4-0 just days before,” Rohr said during his post-match press conference at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo.

“They wanted revenge and they played well. They brought in three fresh players, while we had the same team that played on Friday. We got tired in the second half.”

He added: “Before the two games I wanted four points, so I’m happy we got what we targeted. Tonight’s match was not about spectacle, we just wanted to get a result. If they didn’t have that penalty we’d have got all three points.”

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The post Cameroon vs Nigeria: Rohr reveals why Super Eagles drew in Yaounde appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Rohr made the announcement at a pre-match news conference to mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

The match, billed for Sept.1, is to be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital. Rohr said that he had spoken with Enyeama and that the goalkeeper was ready to come back to the team but was not currently fit.

“The past is the past but now he is injured. He has to win the fight against injury,” said Rohr.

Enyeama had announced his retirement from the national team in 2015, following a disagreement with the then Coach, Sunday Oliseh. Rohr said that he had a good team to face the Lions but that his challenge was with the goalkeeper position.

He said that two of his goalkeepers were injured, explaining however, that he would start the match with Ikechukwu Ezenwa at the goal.

“The list of players makes the difference, not so young, more of experienced players. We already have six points. All players are in high spirit.

“We know that we have a good team, we are ready to make the difference. We have all the confidence to beat the Indomitable Lions here in Uyo.”

He said that the players would be a bit aggressive in their tackling, unlike the last AFCON qualifiers match with Bafana Bafana of South Africa played in Uyo.

The coach pleaded with fans to support the Super Eagles to win the first leg of the match, noting that a win would spur the Eagles to do better in the return leg in Cameroon. Answering questions from reporters, the Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi, said the team was in Uyo to play and win the match.

“We are ready; the team is a mixture of young and experienced players. “I am here to make sure we qualify for the World Cup. Everybody dreams to go to the World Cup.

“We are playing at home, we are fit. We have what it takes to win the match.” He said that the team had been working hard and was confident to defeat Lions.

NAN

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The post Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper Enyeama Ready To Come Back -Rohr appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Rohr insisted that he monitors the players at their club and compiles videos, before deciding who to call up.

“How I select the players?. I monitor them, we have to see videos. I’m not the only one doing that, every coach in Africa is doing that. The Federation (NFF) don’t tell us who to pick. We pick the team ourselves,” Rohr said.

“I work freely. Nobody tells me how to work and that is very important for me. We will try to monitor the good players for future invitations to the team.”

Rohr on Monday released the names of players that will face Cameroon in September.

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