Many have wondered why the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have refused to sack the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr despite failing to win any major trophy for the senior national team since he was saddled with the job in 2016.
The truth is not far fetch considering the fact that the German tactician has exhibited the traits of a champions going by how the team qualified for major tournament with ease without the usually hypertensive and permutation difficulties that some football-loving Nigerians had to undergo in the process.
No doubt, a lot of critics have criticised his tactical and technical abilities to lead the Super Eagles to the glory land. However, it should be noted that Rohr has brought some dimensional style of play to the team, hence, setting his cards for what will be a trophy-laden campaign for Nigeria in 2022.
His shortfalls at the 2018 World Cup, most especially against Argentina in the last group game and also at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final game against Algeria must have taught him some lessons.
Although some lovers of the round leather game in the country are quick to point out that qualifying for the World Cup and getting knocked out in the preliminary round should not be termed as ‘success’.
Some have also noted that under Rohr’s reign, Nigeria have qualified for three major tournaments with games to spare and also earned the qualification from the most difficult groups in the qualifying stages of the competition.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Super Eagles Need Better Escorts Ahead Liberia Game -Rohr
Rohr like the other quality coaches in the world, is always open to quantitative and qualitative criticisms in as much as it will help to drive the team towards success in the Super Eagles’ assignments.
In all, Rohr has so far delivered in the tasks handed over to him by the NFF. Lately, he has led the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2021 AFCON slated for Cameroon, and in a matter of days can conquer Liberia and Cape Verde to put the team in steady control of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Despite executing some of the national team’s assignment on an empty stomach as he is still being owed some months salary, the German tactician never allowed it to affect his gameplan, but has effectively executed the qualifiers with smiles beaming on his face.
Besides, he has been able to discover and integrate young talents into the Super Eagles fold and building lots of confidence in them. Recall that at the 2019 AFCON and 2018 World Cup, Rohr’s team was considered as one of the youngest teams at both tournaments.
Like the saying that ‘slow and steady wins the race’, Rohr seems has been destined to lead Nigeria to success at the 2021 AFCON.
By Augustine Akhilomen
12 Comments
Augustine (the author of this write-up),
You’re doing well……let’s join hands to support Rohr in taking this crop of stars to glory in Cameroon.
It’s not really a question of what side of the divide you’re on, love or hate Rohr, he’s the one on the saddle, so let’s give him the support, and see what comes out of it…. I’m very sure he himself is already fully aware of the terms and conditions in his contract
God is my witness, one day, all these people who are working behind the scenes for the sack of this man shall confess and regret ever working against him. They shall wane, cry and roll on the floor in anguish (just as it is the case with Nigeria now) but it shall be too late, with help out of sight, only to realize the great things this man did for our football. Continue with your baseless criticisms and unrelenting attacks, he’d be gone soon then u can now take over and perform better than him. I enjoin every genuine football lover, those who truly love our super eagles to enjoy the smooth ride while it lasts bcs very soon things would change for the worse. The impending disaster shall be greater than what we have ever experienced in the history of nigerian football. Only then we shall realize the difference. When Jonathan was in power, Nigerians clamoured for change. Now, the real change has come, everybody is feeling the impact wherever we are.
I wanda! Some people think say pikin go jost wake up from sleep after him don knock off him brain with Ogogoro liquor the previous night, go run for Olympic, carry number one. Na lie! One suppose take style go slow like Rohr . . . and GBAM!, cup dong land for hand. Na so we dey do aam!
This writer must be a Dr.drey’s clone too, I come in peace ooo!
No!
I feel the players wants to play for this man Rohr and for themselves too. To help their respective career. Its not about pride or Nigeria. Nigeria is mess. Only Jehovah can help this country
The writer of this article you try abeg.
“Gernot Rohr despite failing to win any major trophy for the senior national team since he was saddled with the job in 2016”. This is the most annoying, stupid, bigotry statement always vomited by all Rohr haters!
Is national football the same as club-side football, where there’s always a trophy to contend for every year/season. Also Rohr critics know fully well there’s little things you can fault the man for. So what do they do? They will say he has not won any cup since he is in charge. But there wickedness won’t allow them ask simple questions like – “how many competition could we participate in since 2016?” The answer: two. How many did Rohr qualify us for? The same two. The next question will be – “out of those two tournaments how many can super eagles win?” The answer: none!
Winning the world cup is a dream. No question there. Lol. Winning the world cup is a dream for any African nation at this moment. While winning the afcon is also a laugh for a team that failed to qualify for the tournament twice consecutively. I mean what more can you ask for?
I’ve said it before, I will say it again: Rohr’s biggest strength is not his man management skills, no. Nor is it his meritocracy in selection. But his ability to take his critics statements and shove it right down there throat till they choke and their eye bulge! During the world cup qualifier, Segun, the leader of the “ex-internationals”, said it is impossible for Nigeria to even qualify out of a group that contain afcon defending champions, a nation that qualified for the previous edition and a nation that wants the qualification by all means. But Rohr did what he does best – shoved it right down his critics throats. He drew two games during afcon qualifiers and the so called ex-internationals alongside all funny “patriotic” fans did not let us sleep. Yet, with two draws, Rohr qualified with two games to spare. Can you imagine that??! We’ve never had it this good in like forever. Rohr’s critics said Rohr hesitance to inviting home based players is a disservice to Nigeria football league, saying the lads need to rub shoulders with the foreign counterparts. Rohr disagreed, wanted merit. But of course, they screamed, yelled and cried. But what happened? Just one match, not two or three, just one match and no one has even brought up the issue again. Funny. Very funny indeed. The ex-internationals that should focus their energy on filling their CVs or at the very least call out NFF for owing both staffs and players for about two years are just spewing out nonsense.
If you don’t like Rohr’s face or skin colour, just say it. If you envy his job, just say it. If you don’t like the fact that super eagles are progressing day by day, just say it. Super eagles are winning afcon by God’s grace. And the true fans for our national sides are backing him.
My brother, Just one match and the matter died a natural death. No one wonder our people say what an old man can see sitting down, a young boy cannot see, even if he stands up. Not even the Sports Minister has the guts to raise the issue of home base again. But, just to make them happy and have another market to sell, he picked one home based defender from a list of 30 players. At least that is fair enough.
“…Just one match, not two or three, just one match and no one has even brought up the issue again…”
Kingston, please permit me to laugh my head off and roll on the floor….LMAOoooo
I don dey braze up for life after Gernot Rorh already. The hand writing is pretty clear on the wall what manner of “jagbajantis” they will turn our dearly beloved SE to.
I just pray i’m proven wrong sha
Hmmmmmmmm… Augustine, Akhilomen. So we can still see right thinking sport journalist like you from CSN? God bless you.
From their write ups, we shall know them. One Ex footballer (the father of all) once said, “Even if Nigeria is losing all matches and refuse to quality for any competion, so far the coach is a Nigerian, he’s ready to sink with him”
Even from this forum, from their choice of coaches and players, u will surely know people that want progress for our national team. Amunike, Siasia, Eguavon, plush, Madagascar Coach etc choice of players like,Arokodare, Fanendo Adi, Fatai Alashe, Anibaba, Junior Ajayi,Iwuala, Amoo, Unamed 5 home based..so far they play here.. Lol. May God help us all.
Enjoy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6dDwmt2lIE
He is not going to qualify this team for the World Cup.