Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has admitted his fullbacks struggled against DR Congo and he will need to work on the problem.
“We have some problems with our fullbacks, but we will work on this. We have a few days to be ready,” SCORENigeria quoted Rohr as saying on Tuesday.
Elderson Echiejile started at left-back, while Tyronne Ebuehi was at right-back.
Ebuehi was later replaced by Shehu Abdullahi after he was forced out by injury in the 76th minute, while Ola Aina replaced Echiejile
Aina was culpable for the penalty, which led to the DRC equaliser.The other fullback in the squad is Russia-based Brian Idowu.
Rohr said he would only take four fullbacks to Russia.
“We five fullbacks, we can only take four (to World Cup),” he said.
Meanwhile, Rohr has hinted goalkeeper Francis Uzoho looks set to be in goal for Nigeria at the World Cup.
The 19-year-old Uzoho has kept the country’s four friendlies and Rohr said this could be an indication he will be first choice in Russia.
“It’s an indication (he could be No 1),” Rohr said.
“He hasn’t played too much with us as he came after the World Cup qualifiers
“We wanted to see the young goalkeeper play for the first time in Nigeria
“I think he did well, he did what he had to do.”
Uzoho did not keep a clean sheet on his home debut and was lucky the referee overlooked what looked like a penalty caused by him in the second half of the friendly against DR Congo.
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