Rohr: How We Changed Tactics Vs England; Iwobi, Ndidi Fit For Czech Republic

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has explained how his tactical switch improved his side’s performance in the 2-1 friendly defeat to England on Saturday while also giving injury updates on two key players.

“In the first half we had our usual organisation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-11,” Rohr said during his post-match press conference.

“England made a very good beginning, put pressure on us. We changed to 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 if you like. We changed four players immediately but unfortunately in the World Cup you can’t change four players. But the players who came in did very well and saw a good second half. We have to work much more in the two weeks we have before our first game.”

Rohr assured goalscorer Iwobi will be ready for the next game after the player appeared to be holding his hamstring towards the end of the encounter.

“No he’s fine. (He suffered) only cramps. Other players had cramp issues too which shows the effect of travelling. From Uyo to Port Harcourt, then to Abuja to see the President and then coming here. I’m happy now that we don’t have real injuries. Only cramps,” Rohr said.

The Eagles boss assured that Leicester midfielder Wilfried Ndidi, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, will be ready for their next warm-up game against Czech in Austria on Thursday.

Rohr added: “We followed a plan made for his recovery by Leicester. We didn’t think it was the right game for him to return. But he should be ready for the next game.”