Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr insists his side must surprise their opponents, Zambia in Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifier in Uyo.
The Super Eagles have a 3-point advantage over the Chipolopolo as both teams clash in the penultimate game of their qualification Group.
“The situation we are in today is a good situation because we have ten points and Zambia have seven,” said Rohr at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“We know have to win, we want to win and we must win.”
“Zambia know our game because they have seen us. So we must be able to do well and also to surprise them.”
Nigeria have eight of the players who started in both side’s last meeting in October 2016 available for Saturday’s clash against a much changed Zambian side.
The Chipolopolo under manager Wedson Nyirenda have bounced back into contention after surprisingly beating Algeria home and away last month. The team is dominated by youngsters, several of whom won the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations this year.
“We know that the (Zambian) team is much different to the one we played last year but we are ready,” acknowledged Rohr.
“We have had two training sessions and we have two left to decide on who will play for us on the day.”
“We are close to Russia now and everybody understands it’s not the moment to miss concentration and discipline. The players are aware of that.”
Nigeria and Zambia will face at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday in what could prove decisive in both teams’ qualifying ambitions.
