Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles technical adviser, believes Nigeria will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia if his team can win its two home games against Cameroon and Zambia.
Rohr said that a lack of competitive action will be a disadvantage for the Eagles ahead of the clash with Cameroon.
“Winning our first two matches was a great start, but we will not play again until the end of August and early September, when we face Cameroon,”Rohr told FIFA.com .
“They of course are African champions and will be highly motivated to take the form from Gabon into the World Cup qualifiers.
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“I do not get carried away. It is a very tough group and nothing has been decided.
“But I admit that, at the moment, we have a small advantage and if we win our two matches at home against Cameroon and Zambia, we will qualify.”
The Eagles coach disclosed that he will rely more on younger players.
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“As the team and the country had been deeply affected by failing to qualify for the finals in Gabon, I wanted to bring in some younger players into the squad. This, of course, is without closing the door on anyone.”
The 63-year-old explained that his plans to work with Nigerian coaches to discover and nurture talent will also dovetail to the age-limit teams which are presently struggling.
“This is something that I wanted to help change. I also offered to accompany the local selection, even if I was not in charge of it directly.
“I also said I would keep an eye out for the national women’s team. These are some of the things I said I wanted to do when I started in August last year.”
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