Former Super eagles gaffer, Genort rohr believes the Super Eagles will pick one of the world cup tickets despite their slow start in the qualifiers which has seen the country pick up 3 points from possible 12, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
Rohr who led Benin Republic to a shocking 2-1 win against Nigeria days back in Ivory Coast stated that the group is still an open one with just 4 points between his team Benin republic who currently occupies the first place and Nigeria who sits 5th on the log.
"South Africa are number one, we have to be realistic. Number two can still be Nigeria if they all come together in good spirit with all the players highly motivated, he told Punch Sports.
"They have to beat Lesotho, they can beat Rwanda, they can beat Zimbabwe, they should beat all these teams. And at home, they can beat Benin, but I think we also can beat Nigeria again.
"So, if they win these four matches, you know, its 12 points. And if they beat South Africa, I think they can still do it. But they have to beat South Africa in South Africa, which will not be easy. And so, for me, Benin also has a little chance, because now the confidence is there, and the team is together.
"So, I think the players will do everything to go there (World Cup), and also the federation and the staff. But now, of course they must be realistic and say that it’s only three points in four games."
Talking about how he masterminded the win against the Super Eagles in Ivory Coast despite playing on a neutral ground, Rohr said: "First of the arguments is that all the Super Eagles players are in big clubs and very often at the end of the season they are a bit tired mentally and physically. Also, that they’ve not had a little bit of rest and holiday with their families. It’s not easy to motivate the Super Eagles players after such a season when even in winter time, they could not rest because of the AFCON.
"I told my players that even if they conceded the goal, it’s not finished because you know we had a day together, they were able to do the best things you could imagine on the pitch, but sometimes also they can lose concentration, I know sometimes the little weakness of my boys. The opponents (Eagles) believed it was done but it’s not so, even when we conceded the goal, I knew it was still possible to win the game.
"I think the Benin players were hungrier and fresher physically and mentally," he added.
While Genort Rohr's Benin face Zimbabwe and South Africa in the next series of the qualifiers, Nigeria will play one ot the group leaders Rwanda and Zimbabwe as well in March.
Oluwayemi Omolagba