Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has declared that his next big ambition is to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Although his team still have the AFCON 2019 qualifiers to persecute, resuming with their September 7 battle away to Seychelles, Rohr is looking ahead to the main event itself and stressed that his target is to pick the trophy.
Three-time champions, who missed the 2015 and 2017 editions, trail leaders Libya and South Africa by three points in Group E of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria first won the African Cup of Nations on home soil in 1980, before triumphing in 1994 and 2013, with Rohr now hoping to add 2019 to the haul.
Before then, Rohr and his players know there is no room for complacency when they face Seychelles on Matchday 2, following their opening 2-0 defeat at home by South Africa.
Rohr affirmed that he has already told his players that they can emerge tops at Cameroon 2019, with the right mental approach, high determination and adherence to tactics, all of which he says he will impact on them in his unfolding build-up programme.
The Franco-German tactician said: “The last time Nigeria won the African Cup Nations in 2013, I was the coach of Niger Republic.”
“The team hasn’t qualified for two successive Nations Cups. We want to ensure that this team qualify for Cameroon 2019.
“If that happens we will try to qualify from our group at the competition proper and try to take it step by step to the final.
“Five teams represented Africa at the World Cup. Normally those teams will want to play well at the AFCON.
‘’I thank my leaders for this trust. Beyond the World Cup, the goal is AFCON 2019. We want to come back and win.’’
