Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr has saluted his wards for recording a clean sheet and putting up a gallant fight in Sierra Leone, while singling out goalkeeper Maduka Okoye for special praise.
The goalless draw in Freetown maintained Nigeria’s leadership of Group L in the AFCON qualifying series with eight points from four matches.
“It’s a long time we had a clean sheet. We wanted the defence to be solid especially after what happened in the second half in Benin City,” Rohr remarked after the draw in Sierra Leone.
“I am especially happy for our goalkeeper (Maduka Okoye), who showed to everybody that he’s a good one.”
The coach was equally impressed with the fight his team put up against the home team, who are yet to lose at home in seven years.
“They showed they can fight together and make a clean sheet away from home,” he said.
However, the draw was not enough to guarantee the Eagles passage to the AFCON in Cameroon in 2022.
“We remain top of the table and now have to play two more games, against Benin and Lesotho,” Rohr assured.
“We are very close to qualifying for the AFCON.”
