Gernot Rohr says nine players named in the Super Eagles’ starting lineup against Croatia were nervous as they were playing in their first World Cup match last weekend and this contributed to the team’s loss. Francis Uzoho, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Brian Idowu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo were the Super Eagles stars who started a World Cup game for the first time in their careers and Rohr remarked that, ”9 out of the 11 players in the starting line-up against Croatia played their first World Cup match,” during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference.
”Of course, nerves played a role there,” Rohr continued, adding that, “Our group is a tough one – the best in this World Cup, in my opinion. We should always keep that in mind. Croatia has one of the best midfields in the world.” The Super Eagles held their final training session on Wednesday afternoon in Essentuki before they fly to Volgograd tomorrow morning for the match with Iceland.