Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr warns against too much optimism

Piotr Zielinski (R) of Poland in action against Wilfred Ndidi (L) of Nigeria during the international friendly soccer match between Poland and Nigeria in Wroclaw, Poland, 23 March 2018. EPA/Maciej Kulczynski POLAND OUT

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Mar 24, 2018. 18:00

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has warned his players and the country’s supporters not to get too far ahead of themselves following a 1-0 win over Poland on Friday night.

The Super Eagles defeated their hosts in Wroclaw thanks to a penalty from Victor Moses, with Rohr praising the goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and the team for coping without the injured captain John Obi Mikel.

“We were lucky to have won this game against a very solid Polish side. Poland created at least four good chances and we scored a penalty,” said Rohr after the match.

“The opponents were better in the air. But our young goalkeeper, who first played for the Nigeria national team from the beginning, did well.

“We won the match without our captain - Mikel John Obi. Previously, we lost against South Africa without him.

“After beating Poland, the sixth team in the FIFA ranking, I warn against too much optimism. We will not be the favourite of the World Cup, even the advancing to the knockout phase is uncertain.”

Rohr added, “We will remain a humble team. In today's game there were injuries to two players - it was not a ‘friendly game’, no one wanted to let anyone go, both teams wanted to win, hence many fouls.

''We can learn from the European teams on the pitch, watch positions, discipline and organisation. We must also remember that at the World Cup we will be one of the youngest teams.”

Nigeria will be back in action on Tuesday when they face Serbia in a friendly in London.