Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has been sacked by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), after five years of leading the national team. ayokinews.com reports
The German tactician had his last coaching experience with the Nigerian Super Eagles after a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde.
Prior to Rohr’s sack by the NFF on Sunday, former Nigerian footballer and former senior team coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has been drafted in as an interim replacement.
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The development is coming shortly a few weeks before the commencement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals, where Nigeria will square up against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in Group D.
A statement made available to the press by the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Sunday, reads: “The relationship between the Nigeria Football Federation and Mr. Rohr has come to an end. We thank him for his services to the Super Eagles and Nigeria.”
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“We also want to thank the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for their collaboration and guidance all through.”
The new Interim Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, who will now be leading Nigeria to Cameroon 2021 is to be assisted by Salisu Yusuf (chief coach), Paul Aigbogun (assistant coach), Joseph Yobo (assistant coach), Terry Eguaoje (assistant coach) and Aloysius Agu (goalkeeper trainer).
Also, former Nigerian Super Eagle captains, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal, will be providing technical and ambassadorial support for the crew.
In August, 2016, German tactician, Gernot Rohr, was appointed as Permanent manager of the three-time African champions, prior to the departure of the former coach, Sunday Oliseh.
Taking charge of the Nigerian national squad, Rohr won his first game as the Super Eagles trashed Tanzania 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Rohr performed the German magic as he successfully led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and also the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where the country defeated Tanzania to finish third (3rd) position.
In May 2020, Gernot Rohr agreed with the NFF on a 2½ two-and-a-half-year contract extension, in regard to his impressive performance.
Before having his final cut, the 68-year-old German came under heavy criticism from Nigerians, who were displeased on how the Super Eagles struggled but eventually advanced from Group C in the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Gernot Rohr, currently has a career record of 28 wins out of 54 matches with Nigeria and also the most-capped coach in the history of the Nigerian national team.
Former Super Eagles Player-of-the-Year, Victor Ikpeba, had earlier warned the NFF about the risks of sacking Rohr on the eve of AFCON, which he termed a “disaster” while urging the Football Federation to learn from history to avoid making costly mistakes.
Speaking to SuperSport, Victor Ikpeba said: “It is less than 48 days before our first game against Egypt at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The speculation about his sack has been intense and I’m really surprised.”
“I know what happened in 2002 and in 2010. Rumour of people going to the sports ministry and the presidency calling for Rohr to be sacked.”
“Rohr has done the needful qualifying the Eagles for the World Cup playoffs. Yes, we were not brilliant against Cape Verde but he has done the needful.”
“Why not wait till after the Afcon and take a decision on his future. It will be a disaster if that happens now. If you sack Rohr and employ another coach if the team fails at the Afcon who takes the blame?”
“What will the new manager change. What changed in 2002 and in 2010? It was a disaster. This will happen again if Rohr is sacked now.”
“My worry is that we forget history and we should not. Those who sacked the late Amodu Shuaibu twice said he was not good enough. Gernot Rohr has been too soft with the players the NFF can help him,” Ikpeba warned.
