Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr admitted after his side’s 2-0 defeat to South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Saturday that the team lacked the killer instinct and experience to finish off the game, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
“Nobody is happy with the result but in some negative result there are some positives,” Rohr said during his post-match interview.
“And we have to search for them. The first goal we conceded was a counterattack from the right flank and the second goal was a gift.
“My young team played a very good first half. They played well but they didn’t score and in the second half we knew that the experienced team of South Africa could be dangerous and counter us and that was what happened.
“We had difficulties to finish the game they made so many efforts. Some of our players were tired to we tried to put in some attacking players to bring in some power in the attack but it was not enough.
“We knew they were unbeaten in the last 17 games now 18. I believe that this game we made progress with my young team of an average age of 24 years.
The youngest team in Africa. This game they will learn and not repeat the same mistakes.
“We controlled the game until the goal they conceded.
“You know with a young team where all is good it’s wonderful, when it’s difficult they become nervous and that was the case today.
“But I trust in these players because they played well in the first half.
“I don’t want to give excuses for the missing players. It’s right we missed some big players to score the goals.
“The game against Cameroon will be much better.”
The Eagles will face Cameroon in two World Cup qualifiers within four days.
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