Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye has revealed that captain John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and other Nigeria players were disappointed in the wake of their 1-0 loss to Czech Republic in their final pre-World Cup friendly game played on Wednesday in Austria.
A first half goal from Tomas Kalas saw the Eagles suffer back-to-back defeats following their 2-1 loss to England at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Ibitoye also disclosed why Gernot Rohr’s men played with so many formations in their pre-World Cup friendlies.
”We didn’t play our best that was obvious for everyone to see. Friendly games are, as the coach will also say, like a scientist in the lab, try a few things and see what other options you can have,” Toyin Ibitoye told Channels Television.
”That’s how we have to take this game, the boys are not happy they didn’t win because a victory would have given us some boost going into the World Cup but we see beyond the result. ”
Ibitoye added: ”We are trying a few things and coach Gernot Rohr told the press at the post-match press conference that in our group Iceland, Croatia and Argentina are teams that play different patterns, different formation and what he wants to do is to try to make his team as flexible as possible so that they can match-up with the demands of having to change from one style to the other.
”What he wants to see is how we can adapt and play many styles during the World Cup. We have the next days to put ourselves in good shape, mentally, physically and boost our own morale and go into the World Cup. ”
Rohr’s side won their first two pre-World Cup friendlies against Argentina and Poland but failed to win their last four against Serbia, Democratic Republic of Congo, England and Czech Republic.
Eagles next game will be against Croatia on June 16 in their Group D opener at the World Cup before facing Iceland and Argentina in their remaining two fixtures.
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