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Afcon 2019: Super Eagles battled virus before Burundi victory, says coach Gernot Rohr

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that several of the players in his 23-man squad were sick in the buildup to Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Burundi.

The Super Eagles overcame the Central African nation with a 1-0 win, thanks to Odion Ighalo’s 77th-minute goal at the Alexandria Stadium, which got their campaign off to a winning start.

Samuel Kalu was ruled out of the game after collapsing in training, while Jamiliu Collins was reportedly sick.

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During Saturday's game, Nigeria were dealt another blow when Abdullahi Shehu was stretchered off due to an injury towards the end of the first-half.