Following the Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Central Africa Republic (CAR) in their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifier at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, coach Gernot Rohr is relishing the prospect of playing on similar quality pitches for Super Eagles’ home matches.
The Japoma Stadium otherwise known as the Stade Omnisport de Douala is one of the stadia earmarked for the forthcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the German coach said he is already looking forward to the continental showpiece.
He reiterated the commitment of the Super Eagles towards qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup , adding the Super Eagles were compelled to give their best at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in their forthcoming home match against Cape Verde in November.
“I don’t know whether we can find a better pitch in November,” Rohr told NationSport yesterday.
“They were working on it (Teslim Stadium) and it was better because it was dry the last time; and I think they can bring in water on it (before the match) for the ball to roll better and we would see because they are working on it.”
Yet Rohr said the Super Eagles are in Lagos at the behest of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hence the Super Eagles would host Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in November.
“It is not in my capacity to determine where we play; I think the President (Amaju Pinnick) is determined we play in Lagos; so it is not in my power to change anything like that,” the former Bayern Munich defender noted. “My power is with the team (laughs); the composition of the team but I can only ask them to give us the best pitch possible.
“Away games are good and I think we are going to have a wonderful good pitch in Accra (against Liberia) like we had in Douala (against CAR) and I think we can also have the same in Nigeria because they are working on it now,” he added.