SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is confident that his wards can secure the maximum three points today against Algeria's Desert Foxes when the two teams clash in a World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Drawn in the Group of Death alongside Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria, the Eagles have a tough qualification schedule to get to Russia 2018. However, the team got off to a flying start last month, beating Zambia 2-1 away in Ndola and are now looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table with another win.
On Wednesday, the team flew from Abuja where it had been camping to Uyo and according to Mr Rohr, his players have been in fine form. While acknowledging Nigeria ‘s confidence, the German added that there was still plenty of work to do before facing the north African giants.
Mr Rohr added: “I believe all the games in this group will be difficult to win because all the four teams are very strong. Algeria which is the number one team in Africa must be disappointed for dropping points at home against Cameroon, so they will come to Uyo very well prepared against us.
"So mathematically, it was a good operation for us that we won in Ndola and we are the only teams that have three points after the first round of matches. We have to analyse the matches and we also have to keep eyes on our players because we have started building a new team with many young players."
Till date, there has been 17 clashes between both teams, with Nigeria winning eight times, drawing three and losing six. In their last four confrontations, the Eagles have beaten the Algerians, which is more than the three consecutive wins Algeria had over Nigeria between October 1981 and March 1982.
Meanwhile, Algeria Football Federation president, Mohamed Raouraouia said to his players:
“You have a duty to come back with a positive result from the match against Nigeria. All the Algerian people are behind you and they support you and hope for a good result in Nigeria.
"We must not disappoint, it’s all I can say. The World Cup is an important event that should not be missed. You should know that everyone is behind you.”
Former Nigerian international, Kanu Nwankwo, believes the Super Eagles have a great chance of beating Algeria’s Desert Warriors today in Uyo. Kanu said the attitude and body language of the players fills him with enormous confidence that a win could be on the cards for the Super Eagles today.
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