Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says there is no guarantee on the outcome of the 2018 World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, which comes up in August.
Rohr has just returned from Gabon where he was a television pundit during the entire period of the just-concluded Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) and saw Cameroon lift the title.
‘‘As of today, we can beat Cameroon but tomorrow, I don’t know,’’ said Rohr when asked by the media about his team’s chances against the Indomitable Lions.
“We’re happy for Cameroon, we have to beat the African champions, but our game will only be in six months and a lot of things could happen during that time,’’ Rohr said.
Nigeria will welcome the African kings Cameroon on August 28 in Uyo with the return leg four days later in continuation of the 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament.
The Super Eagles currently top the qualifying group with six points from two matches, while Cameroon are second on two points.
Zambia and Algeria are on a point each with the overall group winners advancing to the World Cup.
Rohr also said the AFCON was so important a country like Nigeria should not be missing out.
“Nigeria cannot miss the AFCON again because it’s a big tournament to celebrate African football. I hope we will be there at the next tournament,” he said.
“But to do that we have to eliminate South Africa, who are a good team.’’
Nigeria will tackle South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in June to get the AFCON qualifiers going.
“We need a good preparation and organisation. We will have two friendly games next month and we have the possibility to test some new players and be together,” he added.
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