Fides Media Living the Faith
By Alexander Johnson Adejoh
The Nigeria Football Federation has asked Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, to quickly reverse the “huge shock” and defeat suffered by Nigeria against the Central African Republic in Douala on Sunday.
President of the NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, in a statement on Friday said that the Super Eagles have the character to bounce back from the 1-0 home defeat to the central Africans and still fly very high above other contenders in Group C of the African race.
‘This result has been a huge shock, especially after the NFF provided everything necessary to make the team comfortable and focused on the task at hand, even going the extra mile in a number of areas.
The Federation wishes to appreciate the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government and our partners and sponsors for their support to enable us provide the necessary comfort and conducive environment for the team to succeed’,’ he said.
Pinnick noted that it was a setback, which should be quickly reversed, and the Nigerian Spirit is what the Super Eagles will take to Cameroon.
‘At the halfway mark of this phase, our Super Eagles still top the group. I am in touch with even the players that are injured like Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi.
They are all very sad with the result. The players who featured in today’s match are all very sober and sad. They know what is important now is their reaction to the situation when they take to the pitch in Douala on Sunday. We believe they will deliver against the same team,’ Pinnick added.
He also said the NFF was taking responsibility for the defeat and urged Nigerians from far and near to get behind the team at this period.
Nigeria remain top of Group C with six points, two more than both Cape Verde (who defeated Liberia’s Lone Star in Monrovia) and Central African Republic, with Liberia bumped to bottom place.