Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has described his side’s international friendly against Liberia on Tuesday as a preparation point for next month’s double-fixture with Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Although he excused many of his key players from Tuesday’s game in Monrovia, Rohr said it was an opportunity for younger lads in the team and those who have not gained regular shirts to play themselves into contention for spots against Libya on October 10.
Rohr extended late invitations to four-home based players, to join several international rookies for the game in Monrovia, after the Franco-German gaffer released six of the lads he listed in a 3-0 AFCON 2019 qualification win away to Seychelles on Saturday.
He has now explained that his actions were influenced by the need for him to build up to the next month’s two AFCON qualifiers at home and away against Libya.
Rohr said ahead of Tuesday’s testimonial for Liberia’s president, George Opong Weah at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium: “I want players with different characteristics to assess with the future in mind.
“The idea is to prepare for the next two games by knowing which young players are ready to make the grade.
“That is the challenge on Tuesday night against Liberia and it is very important. I have in the eyes of many of the new Eagles the desire to get started on the right foot.
“We want to continue to grow. In Monrovia, I want a strong impact, a team that knows its place, with the right tempo. Now we must raise the bar by enriching what is already good.
“What I expect is to continue in the manner of how we play to arrive at a result, while increasing the gloss and strength in our finishing.”
