2019 AFCON: Eagles not 100 % fit for Burundi clash ―Rohr

In what appears to be a danger signal, Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr, said the Super Eagles are not 100 per cent fit for today’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener against the Swallows of Burundi, but added his men are equally prepared for the clash.

The 2019 AFCON group B clash is billed for the Alexandria Stadium, Egypt at 6:00pm Nigeria time with the duo of Saido Berahino and Fiston Abdoul-Razak leading the attack of Burundi who are making their debut in the African biennial showpiece.

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“Everyone isn’t fit at the moment. Four or five players missed one week of training and have only trained for a few days. We are not in the best shape, but we don’t complain. The team have solidarity, perhaps even too much solidarity. But we will be ready; the fittest one will play tomorrow [Saturday].

“We’re used to the pressure and we are cool. We are happy to start this competition and we have been together for three weeks. The weather is a bit different from what we are used to in Nigeria, and it affected us because half the team fell sick, but now only one player is sick,” Rohr said at a media interactive session in Alexandria ahead of today’s clash with the AFCON debutants.

The German tactician however, noted that the Swallows deserve respect given their admirable performance in the qualification series, adding that his men will burn the candle from both ends today to ensure a flying start.

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“We prepare to face them [Burundi] with humility because they were unbeaten in the qualifiers. It’s difficult because all the big countries are here, but I believe the competition will be wonderful with passionate fans and nice pitches,” Rohr stated at the Alexandria Stadium on Friday.

Nigeria, three-time winners of AFCON, will also face Guinea (June 26) and Madagascar (June 30) in the group stage.