Gernot Rohr has recommended that the venue of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya from the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Contrary to news in the local media, the Nigerian Federation is yet to change the venue of the AFCON qualifier to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, but the Super Eagles coach expressed his concerns about the Ahmadu Bello Stadium when he met with the leadership of the NFF during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018 in London on Monday, September 24.
Rohr inspected ABS in August and told Amaju Pinnick and his lieutenants that the field he inspected was too small, not up to standard and his players would not find it comfortable playing on the turf.
Rohr told NFF that he expects Libya to be very defensive when they face Nigeria on October 12, pointing out that South Africa were forced to a goalless draw because the North Africans were too defensive conscious.
The coach further stated that it would be very difficult for his team to get a win on the small Kaduna pitch, and that he would have preferred the match to be played in Uyo, where the pitch is bigger and the defensive Libyans can be opened up.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
