…Pundits want new Technical Adviser to prove his worth
Former Nigeria internationals, Jonathan Akpoborie, Garba ‘Chindo’ Lawal and Pastor Taribo West, have raised their voice in support of German coach, Gernot Rohr, recently hired by the Nigeria Football Federation, as Super Eagles new coach.
The former national team players believe the German coach has the opportunity to further launch himself to the world by qualifying Nigeria to the Russia 2018 World Cup.
“Rohr is respected in Germany. He is not just ordinary coach, he has played the game before becoming a manager. He is currently working on developmental programmes for the German football association,” Akpoborie said.
Although, many Nigerians are routing for local coach, but since NFF is insisting on foreign coach, there is nothing anybody could do than to give him a chance, according to former Super Eagles midfielder, Lawal.
Lawal, who is also a member of the technical committee urged Nigerians to give the German a chance before they nail him to the cross. “We cannot rate him now until we give him a chance to prove himself.
Please let his job speak for him. I know he would not come from Germany and fumble in Nigeria. He will surely live up to his rating. Every good coach needs quality materials to work with and we have good players in Nigeria to make Rohr more work easier.
I know his coming would make our players more disciplined and fit physically. Former defender, Taribo West, said Rohr’s appointment would determine Nigeria’s qualification for the Mundial.
“Every appointment is a practical thing. We hope to see him in action immediately because there is no time to waste. He needs to settle down, prepare his programme and map out fresh strategies that would make him succeed.”
Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, vice chairman of the technical committee, said the team was convinced of the former German defender suitability for the job after a long session with him in Abuja.
The committee was impressed with Rohr’s profile and current activities for the German Football Federation (DFB) so we invited him to Nigeria for exhaustive deliberations.
He was very positive, showed great interest in the job and is ready and willing to live in Nigeria.
He is also willing to work with indigenous coaches and with the committee and believes the Super Eagles can qualify for the 2018 World Cup, which is very important to the NFF.
“He dazzled the committee with his calmness, good knowledge of the African terrain, focus and maturity,” Fresh said . Rohr, 63, played for FC Girondins Bordeaux in France as a defender and as coach and took the team to the UEFA Cup final in 1996 before they lost to Bayern Munich of Germany.
He also coached top Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel and FC Nantes before managing the national teams of Gabon, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.
He was shortlisted for the job of head coach of Guinea only last month. Rohr has the character and confidence to take the Super Eagles to new heights of excellence. He has rich knowledge of both sub- Saharan and North African terrains and truly impressed the committee..
Rohr who just signed 2-year contract with NFF, managed French team, Girondins Bordeaux in 1996, to the UEFA Cup final, where they lost to Bayern Munich over two legs. He became manager of Niger national football team in September 2012.
On December 22, 2015, he was sacked by Burkina Faso national football team as manager.
He was shortlisted for the Guinea national team job in July 2016 before coming to Nigeria.
