JOHANNESBURG: Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr is banking on Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi for goals when they face debutants Burundi on Saturday in the Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener in Egypt.
“Although only 23, Alex is an experienced international and I want to see him scoring more regularly for the national team,” said German Rohr.
“He, Odion (Ighalo) and Ahmed (Musa) can cause a lot of damage to opposition defences if they click at this Cup of Nations.”
Rohr has cause for concern as Nigeria failed to score in two warm-up matches against fellow qualifiers, drawing 0-0 at home to Zimbabwe and losing 1-0 to Senegal in Egypt.
But a favourable draw —Guinea and Madagascar complete Group B — should ensure Nigeria top the standings and book a last-16 place.
Here, AFP previews the three Saturday matches with Guinea playing Madagascar in the other Group B fixture and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda squaring off in Group A. – AFP
