Nigeria Faces Burundi Amid Injury Woes in AFCON 2019 Opener
As the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway, Nigeria prepares for its return to the continental stage after missing the last two editions. The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, will open their campaign against debutants Burundi on Saturday at 5 PM GMT. However, coach Gernot Rohr revealed that the team has not been able to prepare under ideal conditions, with several players affected by illness and injury in recent days.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Rohr emphasized the challenges faced by his squad. “Unfortunately, we don’t have everyone available because four or five of our players were only able to train from Wednesday onwards. They missed a week of physical preparation, so we don’t have our best team,” the Franco-German coach said. The setback followed a tough friendly against Zimbabwe, played in torrential rain, which left many players with colds and minor illnesses. “Some of us caught a cold, and half of our team got sick,” Rohr added.
Despite these complications, the message from the Super Eagles’ camp remains clear: victory is the priority. Nigeria’s players understand the expectations of their nation, and Rohr believes the team’s experience will help overcome the recent setbacks. “We have been together for three weeks. There is a lot of joy to be here after missing the last two editions. The players know what it takes to win, even though only three of them, including captain John Obi Mikel, were part of the team that lifted the trophy in 2013,” he explained.
Nigeria arrives in Egypt with a talented squad, blending the experience of veterans like John Obi Mikel and Ahmed Musa with the energy of younger players such as Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze. The team’s attacking strength, coupled with a disciplined defensive unit, will be crucial against Burundi, who will be making their tournament debut. Coach Rohr has stressed the importance of focusing on the team’s collective performance rather than individual brilliance, particularly given the disrupted preparation.
Burundi, nicknamed the Swallows, qualified for the AFCON on the final day of the qualifiers and will seek to make a statement in their first appearance. Led by captain Saido Berahino and striker Fiston Abdul Razak, they will rely on discipline and attacking flair to challenge the Super Eagles. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s experience, depth, and motivation to reclaim continental glory make them clear favorites for this opening match.
Saturday’s clash at the Alexandria Stadium promises to be a test of resilience for Nigeria. Rohr’s challenge is to keep the squad cohesive, manage the lingering effects of illness, and ensure the team hits the ground running. A positive start would not only boost the Super Eagles’ morale but also set the tone for a potential fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, continuing the legacy of one of Africa’s most storied national teams.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5 PM GMT, with Nigerian fans hoping that their team can overcome recent setbacks and demonstrate the class and composure expected of Africa’s elite.
