Czech Republic boss wary of Nigeria

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jun 06, 2018. 12:30

Czech Republic manager Karel Jarolim says Nigeria are a “very good opponent” ahead of the teams’ international friendly this afternoon.

The Super Eagles will have their final warm-up match ahead of the 2018 World Cup when they face the Czech side at the Rudolf Tonn Stadion in Schwechat, Austria, kick-off at 15h00 CAT.

The European side suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Australia – another World Cup-bound team – in their last match on June 1.

This has left Jarolim under pressure to get a good result against Nigeria, but the manager reckons that the Super Eagles are a better side than the Socceroos.

He studied up on the Africans by watching their game against England on Saturday.

“I'm still under pressure, of course, I would rather for a better result, but the reality is that it did not happen and it is up to us to react, it will be important for the team to play, but also for the result, I will be happy,” Jarolim said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

He added: “Nigeria is qualitatively stronger than Australia, I saw their match in England, it's a very good opponent.”

Nigeria are expected to field an experimental line-up for the match as manager Gernot Rohr tries out new combinations ahead of the World Cup.