LAGOS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Nigeria would make him the most excited person, head coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr has said.
At a post-match conference in the southern city of Uyo on Wednesday night after his team came from behind to defeat the Squirrels of Benin Republic 2-1, the German said winning AFCON 2021 was a huge desire.
"It will be exciting for me to win the 2021 AFCON title with Nigeria. That's my desire, and I will be the most excited," he told reporters.
"So, winning today (Wednesday) is just the beginning. I can't be excited until we win the title in 2021," he said.
The Nigeria Benin game was a 2021 AFCON Qualifier and it took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Rohr told reporters that Benin has a good team, added Nigeria had a good game in the second half.
He, however, pointed out that the game's opening goal, scored by the Squirrels' captain, Stephane Sessegnon, in the match's second minute, was a big shock.
Rohr told reporters that he could not use home-based players for now in the Nigerian team due to specific reasons.
"At the moment, the quality we have from abroad is higher than what we have in the home league (Nigeria Professional Football League)," he added.
In the game, the Squirrels drew the first blood, while the Super Eagles, through Victor Osimhen, equalized from the penalty spot in the 45th minute.
Although Nigeria had several scoring chances thwarted by the Benin goalkeeper in the second half, the winning goal came in the 62nd minute through a solo effort by Samuel Kalu.
Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ola Aina also shone for Nigeria in the match where the Super Eagles confined the Squirrels to their half throughout the second half. Enditem
