By George Aluo
Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, should be dusting his CV and begin the search for another job, if he fails to lead Nigeria to victory at AFCON 2019, holding this summer in Egypt.
The Nigerian Xpress Sports scooped exclusively from a competent NFF source that Rohr would be fired should Eagles fail to win their fourth Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and the coach has been told that much by his employers.
According to our source, the NFF believes with the quality of players at Rohr’s disposal and the level of support he is getting, there is no reason Nigeria shouldn’t come out unscathed in the land of the Pharaohs.
But Rohr on his part doesn’t see his side, as one of the favourites in Egypt, as he has consistently said the Eagles lack “world class” players that would make him beat his chest to say victory is certain ahead of the AFCON battle.
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Rohr pointed out that the era when Nigeria paraded stars like Okocha, Kanu, Amokachi and Amuneke is gone and as such should be realistic in her expectations. He stressed that right now there is no Nigerian player, featuring in the UEFA champions league, while a player like Iwobi is warming Arsenal’s bench in the EUROPA Cup.
Rohr’s stand is, however, one that is making little or no sense to the NFF, as the soccer federation, unlike before the World Cup in Russia when they gave him no mandate, want outright victory in Egypt.
“Let me reveal this to you. The NFF has given Rohr a clear mandate ahead of AFCON. It is the Cup or nothing. If he fails to win, he would be fired right there in Egypt. The soccer federation believes Rohr has the players that can get the job done. He is getting maximum support. His team was at the World Cup in Russia and after all the rebuilding process and the experience garnered in Russia, it’s time for him to give Nigeria a trophy in Egypt. Let him shine his eyes, go to Egypt with our best legs and win, that’s all. If not, he goes,” our source said.
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He stressed that the NFF leadership is actually not happy with the coach at the moment but does not want anything that would distract the team, hence they are keeping quiet.
It would be noted that the NFF had in a communique issued after its executive committee meeting in Asaba, stated that the Eagles wouldn’t be going to Egypt to simply make up the number.
The communique read in part… “After expressing its commitment to give maximum support to the prorgamme of the technical crew in order to ensure victory for Nigeria at the 2019 African Cup of Nations, taking place in Egypt this summer, the Board approved that the Super Eagles play two more friendly matches during the FIFA-free window before the championship. Committee reiterated an earlier position that Nigeria national teams would always compete favourably for honours at major championships, and not attend simply to make up the number.”