Former Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has mentioned the formation of the Jose Peseiro-led teaching squad was key in stopping Ivory Coast's assault.
The Eagles received their AFCON marketing campaign again on observe with a hard-fought 1-0 win in opposition to Ivory Coast in Thursday's Group A match.
Nigeria's captain for the day, William Troost-Ekong, transformed a Fifty fifth-minute penalty after a foul on Victor Osimhen.
It was a match wherein the Ivorians struggled to create clear possibilities and at one level resorted to unproductive long-range assaults that did not threaten Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The victory moved the Eagles into second place, 4 factors behind Equatorial Guinea, who even have 4 factors due to their 4-2 win in opposition to Guinea-Bissau.
“Very good win for the Nigerian staff in opposition to Ivory Coast, which was not within the match in any respect,” Rohr mentioned in his post-match evaluation on former BBC reporter Osasu Obayiuwana's X-handle.
“Superb organisation, 5-4-1, it was decisive (for Tremendous Eagles) as a result of we didn't see Ivory Coast's attackers.
“The 5 defenders, two on the facet, did properly and in midfield Alex Iwobi did very properly with Onyeka. Chukwueze and Lookman additionally got here again to assist and located themselves in a superb attacking scenario as wingers when Nigeria had the ball.
“It’s a superb consequence. I’m blissful for my former gamers as a result of they’ve obtained a lot criticism they usually responded with this match in opposition to the host nation.”
Nonetheless, the present Benin Republic head coach warned the Eagles to not be complacent.
“They must watch out and stay humble as a result of within the final AFCON they gained all their group matches however misplaced within the spherical of 16. Each recreation is essential,” Rohr mentioned.
The German picked Chukwueze and Osimhen for his or her wonderful efficiency within the victory.
“I loved the play of Chukwueze, who deserved to begin the match and Osimhen can all the time rating – so congratulations to my Nigerian followers,” Rohr mentioned.
