Nigeria’s Coach: We Don’t Have Stars like Okocha, Kanu

Nigeria is not blessed with the likes of Austin Jay-Jay Okocha or Nwankwo Kanu but there’s hope with a young Super Eagles team, says gaffer Gernot Rohr.

The absence of the former continent kings in the last previous editions of the African Cup has been blamed to a shortage of leaders, unlike the times the calibre of Okocha were in the mix.

However, Rohr is of the strong conviction that while such a quality is not at his disposal, the Super Eagles could go to some lengths in the June’s tournament.

“I think a lot of teams can dream of winning the trophy. We have the experience from the FIFA World Cup but again, we have a young team. We were the youngest at the World Cup and probably, we will still be the youngest at the AFCON,” he said.

“We don’t have stars like in the past where Nigeria had the likes of Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, or Daniel Amokachi.”

“We have to work with what we have and take a game at a time. I am hoping we can go far with this strategy. We have a young team and teamwork is our strength,” Gernot said.

Nigeria are seeded in group B comprising Burundi, Madagascar and Guinea Conakry who are the sole experienced side in the zone.