NFF Sacks Coach Rohr, Appoints Eguavoen Interim Manager
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – After five years on the driving seat t the helm of affairs with many fans insisting the results have not been inspiring results to show, Gernot Rohr has finally been relieved of his job as the Super Eagles gaffer.
In his place, former international defender and Technical Director of NFF, Coach Austin Eguavoen has been drafted to the team as an interim replacement.
The change of guards is coming just few weeks to the start of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition with Nigeria set to battle Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in Group D.
No doubt, the romance between Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the German tactician turned sour following the three-time African champions’ unimpressive 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in Lagos last November.
And as canvassed by many, that game proved to be the last for Rohr with the NFF announcing his sack on Sunday, saying; “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.”
According to NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi; “We also want to thank the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for their collaboration and guidance all through.”
A statement made available to the media however fell short of giving further details about the terms of Rohr’s disengagement from the national team.
Eguavoen, now saddled with leading Nigeria to Cameroon 2021, will 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, three former Nigeria captains, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal will be providing technical and ambassadorial support for the crew.
Rohr was named as permanent manager of the three-time African champions in August 2016 following the inglorious departure of former Nigerian international, Sunday Oliseh.
He won his first game in charge of the Super Eagles – defeating Tanzania 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The German tactician led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as well as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria finished third after defeating Tunisia in the third-place match.
In May 2020, he agreed on a two-and-a-half-year contract extension after the Nigeria Football Federation reviewed his performances.
Before he was axed, the 68-year-old came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after the Super Eagles struggled to advance from Group C in the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The former Bordeaux coach currently has a record of 28 wins out of 54 matches with Nigeria and he is the most-capped coach in the national team’s history.
However, reacting to the development, former African Player of the Year, Victor Ikpeba warned that sacking Rohr on the eve of AFCON would be a “disaster” while urging the NFF to learn from history.
“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,” Ikpeba said on Super Sports.
In retrospect, Ikpeba said; “I know what happened in 2002 and in 2010. Rumours 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.
” If Gernot Rohr has been too soft with the players, the NFF can help him.” – With Goal.com report
