Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has made it clear that he will not bring in new players for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr has mostly stuck with the players that went to the World Cup in Russia 2018 where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Although the German admitted concerns with his first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, he is unwilling to bring in a new stopper.
“We have a little challenge because our young goalkeeper Uzoho has not really played at his club this season.
“Uzoho made one mistake in the last qualifier [against Seychelles] but we gave him a chance with the youth under-23 and it was good for his confidence.
“Daniel Akpeyi is playing now for a big team in South Africa and doing very well. Our third goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is good so we can work harder with them.
“We have a good spirit as a team since the World Cup, so there’s no time to bring in new players,” Rohr told the BBC.
Although Rohr acknowledged shortcomings in his young team, he is hoping they can secure the continental title in Egypt.
“We can work on every aspect to improve the team, that is why we have the friendly matches.
“We qualified without two of our most experienced players in Obi Mikel and Victor Moses.
“I know what pressure is because I have experienced it with Gabon as hosts in 2012 – so this [challenge] is nothing new.
“For the World Cup our president said we could go to the semi-finals but we saw what happened. Now in Egypt, he says we have to win it.
“We work now to make a great tournament then we take it from there,” the 65-year-old added.
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