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By Amaechi Agbo

Under preasure coach, Gernot Rohr has attributed Super Eagles 1-0 defeat at home by the Central Africa Republic, CAR in the matchday 3 of the 2022 World Cup qualifier in Lagos to lack of creativity by the home team, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Karl Namnganda’s stoppage-time shocker, after a defensive slip-up, took the Super Eagles and the sparse crowd, as well as scores of millions watching on television by surprise and handed the visitors all three points in a crucial World Cup qualifying tie.

It was a match to forget by the Eagles as they recorded no short on target as well as resurrecting a 40-year old history when the team lost a World Cup qualifier against Algeria in 1981.

Algeria defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the same Stadium in that match.

With Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi all unavailable due to injuries, the super Eagles midfield was exposed and lacked coordination all through the encounter.

A shortcoming the German coach admitted after the match.

“We had the opportunity to score but we couldn’t. We have to recover, and we have to make some changes in the team. We missed the creativity of Iwobi, we also missed Ndidi so much. It was not easy for [Frank] Onyeka and a first-timer [Taiwo] Awoniyi to come in this team.”

The German tactician revealed that the players are disappointed in the dressing room and he rued the lack of cutting edge.

“The players are still disappointed in the dressing room and still not understanding why we could lose this match,” Rohr told Goal.

“When we analyzed it, we dominated possession of the ball, we had several opportunities to score but we did not score and very often in football, there was a counter and our opponents scored. “Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, we lost.

Notwithstanding the setback, the German is upbeat that his team will get the job done in the return leg to boost their chances of qualifying for the play-off round. “Cape Verde were well organised but we are still ahead in the group and in three days time, I believe we will be able to win the match,” he continued.

“It will not be in Central Africa, it will be in Cameroon and on a very good pitch. “Also, I think the fighting spirit of the team is still there. I hope in the next game, we will be luckier than today.

Rohr revealed that there will be changes in the second leg in Douala on Sunday.

“There will be some changes. Already, there are some injuries and I don’t know if Kelechi [Iheanacho] is able to play because he had a knock.

“We have some players who are tired because they ran a lot and were fighting as always. This defeat will surely make their recovery more difficult. “They will not sleep well tonight but we have to recover and prepare for Sunday’s game which we must win.”