Ahead of Nigeria’s blockbuster clash with Algeria in the second game of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Uyo next month, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has warned that the sensational dismissal of Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac could well work in favour of Fennec Foxes.
A player-revolt forced Rajevac out of the Algeria job after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon last weekend, and they come into the Nigeria tie desperately in need of stability and three points to enhance their World Cup chances.
The Eagles presently top the qualifying group with three points ahead of Algeria and Cameroon, who are on a point each, while Zambia are bottom after the opening day defeat.
However, Rohr believes the mini-crisis in the Algerian team could fire them up for the rest of the qualifiers, Vanguard writes.
“This (sack) may be the motivation Algeria need to play against us,” he said.
“It will be difficult for a new coach to put together a team in three weeks for our match, but possibly the assistant coaches could manage it.”
The Algeria Football Federation (FAF) has already announced that Rajevac’s assistants Nabil Neghiz and Yazid Mansouri are in charge of the team temporarily and will lead them for next month’s trip to Nigeria.
FAF president Mohamed Raouraou doubts they will be able to name a permanent coach before next year’s Afcon in Gabon.
Statistics show that Nigeria has won the last two World Cup qualifiers meeting with Algeria, a 1-0 victory in Abuja and a 5-2 rout in Oran.
Rohr has warned that Algeria may be tricky opponents despite facing internal crisis, and he will surely be banking on the returning Odion Ighalo and Oghenekaro Etebo to bolster his attack in the encounter. Still, Algeria are Africa’s top-ranked side at the moment and will fancy their chances in Uyo.
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