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Tag: Gernot Rohr

  • NFF, Pinnick under fire over Rohr’s contract

    NFF, Pinnick under fire over Rohr’s contract

    Wahidi Akanni, a former Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been unfair to Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles’ Head Coach.

    Akanni spoke on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the public disclosure of terms and conditions of a possible renewal of Rohr’s contract by the NFF was unnecessary.

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick recently disclosed that Rohr would be handed a new contract to sign if he agreed to the terms.

    But Akanni, an ex-international, said making Rohr’s contract public as Pinnick did would only mean that the two parties had not been communicating effectively.

    “I think, with the back and forth media correspondences between NFF and Rohr, it is obvious that both are not talking.”

    He insisted that a contract between an employee and his employer should not be in the public for that matter.

    “Changing the terms of an employee’s contract also should not be a problem if it’s acceptable by the employee.”

    Hoping that the matter will be resolved amicably soon, Akanni said: “one must acknowledge that NFF has no right to make the contract public because this will bring in a lot of negative sentiments against the coach”.

  • AFCON 2021: Rohr gives update on Moses, Ndidi, Osimhen, others

    Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has provided the latest update on the fitness level of some of his players that include; Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers clash against Sierra Leone in March.

    According to Rohr, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is the only significant injury concern ahead of Sierra Leone clash, while Moses and Ndidi will be fit in the next few days.

    “There is only one major injury concern and that is the goalkeeper, Uzoho due to the fact he has been out of action for the past couple of weeks,” Rohr told AOI Football.

    “Victor Osimhen will be better in a short period, while Omeruo has an injury on the head, Kalu, whom I saw, is already nursing a comeback this weekend.

    “As for Moses, we have to wait to know the extent of his situation, and for Ndidi, he is resting very well and will be fit very soon, and then we have a little injury for Etebo, but it’s not a big one.”

    Rohr’s men are in Group L with six points after defeating both Benin Republic and Lesotho in their opening two games.

    A victory against Sierra Leone will guarantee them a place at the tournament proper next year.

  • Rohr woos Ighalo back to Super Eagles

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr says he will try to convince Odion Ighalo to return to the national team seven months after he called time on his international career.

    The Franco-German admitted that it would be difficult to overlook a player playing at the highest level in football.

    He also stated that the Manchester United striker could be a source of motivation for the young crop of players in the national team.

    “We are very happy about the new team of Ighalo, Manchester United is a fantastic challenge for him and I spoke already with him and you know he is a very good player on and off the pitch,” Rohr told AOIFootball.com.

    “If a player is playing in Manchester United each coach of national teams would like to have him. Our young players could learn a lot on the side of this great goal scorer,” Rohr said.

    Before his retirement, the 30-year-old was Rohr’s most trusted front man as he helped the Eagles qualify for both the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 AFCON with a game to spare before also topping the scorers’ chart at the AFCON to bag Bronze for Nigeria.

  • Why Victor Moses dumped Super Eagles – Rohr

    Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has claimed Victor Moses retired from international football for football and age reasons.

    Rohr stated this in an interview with French radio station RIG 90.7FM.

    The German also pointed to Victor Osimhen as the replacement for Odion Ighalo, who retired from the national team after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    “We no longer have a big star, because John Obi Mikel retired, that Victor Moses also retired for family and age reasons in particular … and even our top scorer, Odion Ighalo, declared his retirement after the AFCON 2019.

    “We managed to find a scorer with Victor Osimhen and other playmakers: we have Samuel Chukweze who plays at Villarreal, the little Samuel Kalu from Bordeaux who plays very very well with us – one of the best every time he plays with Nigeria – so we have a very, very young, promising team, and I might like to continue,” Rohr said.

  • Dosu Joseph urges NFF to renew Rohr’s contract

    Ex-International goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph, says Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has done a fantastic job with the national team, as he urged the Nigeria Football Federation to renew contract.

    Dosu, a member of Nigeria’s Atalanta 96 Olympic football team believes that since the coach has been able to take the Super Eagles to Russia as well as qualified the team for the AFCON in Egypt in 2019, he has the qualities that the team needs to succeed.

    “In my own opinion, He (Rohr) has been good for the Eagles, if we want to be honest. He qualified us for the World Cup and at the same time, we were at the AFCON 2019 after missing out two on previous editions. The boys are doing great things with Rohr in charge.

    On Rohr’s contract issues, he said the manager has been able to prove himself as a good coach and in his own opinion; the Franco-German should be retained in view of his achievements over the years.

    Speaking about the present Super Eagles team, he applauded the national team handlers for doing a great job and creating a cohesive environment for the team of youngsters to emerge as a force to reckon with continental and global football.

    “Since Rohr came on board, he continued the process that Keshi and Oliseh began with the Eagles.

    “Take a look at the team now, most of the boys are playing regularly for their club sides.

    “We can’t compare generations to generations. We are all different human beings. Yet, the boys are good.

    “In fact, in terms of playing pattern, individual skills, these present boys are doing very well. I think all they need is just encouragement.

    “Since NFF have a contract with him and I am not privy to it, it is between the two parties if they want to continue or not. But in my own view, Rohr has been doing his duties with the Eagles very well as a coach.”

  • NFF gives Rohr conditions to remain as Super Eagles coach

    Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has hinted that the federation was willing to offer Super Eagles German coach Gernot Rohr a fresh contract but with a caveat that stringent clauses would be inserted in order to help the cause of the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.

    Rohr’s contract as Super Eagles coach will elapse in June but Pinnick affirmed yesterday in Lagos that the NFF would table a new contract with the coach in January, adding everything would be conducted in the best interest of Nigerian football.

    “Sincerely, we want him to continue with his work and we have said that we are going to sit down with the coach in January with the possibility of offering him a new contract,” explained Pinnick.

    Contracted in 2016 on a two-year deal, Rohr was offered another two-year contract after guiding the country to the World Cup finals in Russia.

    “The truth is that we were carried with the euphoria of World Cup qualification and honestly, what he had can be regarded as a ‘raw’ contract,” he continued.“ But we are going to have some stringent measures for overall best interest of the Super Eagles and Nigerian football.”

    According to Pinnick, some of the clauses being looked in the new contract would see Rohr take permanent residence in the country with a choice of living either in Lagos or Abuja and the German will be allowed to travel on vacation only three times in a year.

    It was also understood that the coach would henceforth work in conjunction with the NFF’s technical committee in order to ensure the best interest of the team.

    “Of course, the coach will have to work more with the technical committee and this is just in a bid for checks and balancing,” he said.

  • Rohr says he’s already preparing Eagles for 2021 AFCON qualifiers

    Rohr says he’s already preparing Eagles for 2021 AFCON qualifiers

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr on Saturday said his immediate goal was to prepare three–times African champions Nigeria for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.

    Rohr spoke at a pre-match press conference in Singapore, ahead of Sunday’s clash with five–times world champions Brazil at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang.

    He explained that the high-profile friendly was an opportunity to test his team’s capacity and make adjustments where necessary before playing against Benin Republic and Lesotho.

    “The game against Brazil will show how much we are progressing after finishing third at the AFCON in Egypt.

    “It is a fantastic opportunity for us to learn a few more things that will make us better and stronger for future challenges.

    “This is an important test game for us, and we are here to learn from the best. We hope for a very good game against Brazil on Sunday.

    “This will help us prepare ourselves for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho next month,” Rohr said.

    He also noted that the friendly would afford him the opportunity of testing new players in order to fill the void created by the retirement of some old top players in the team.

    “After the 2019 AFCON, two of our top players (Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo) retired and we have to see how to replace them.

    “We saw a little bit in our friendly against Ukraine last month and hope we can improve on that performance tomorrow (Sunday).

    “A good showing against Brazil will help our confidence a great deal,” the team handler said.

  • Why Arsenal’s Saka can’t play for Super Eagles – Rohr

    Why Arsenal’s Saka can’t play for Super Eagles – Rohr

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has insisted that it would be difficult for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to play for Nigeria now ahead of England unless the youngster’s eligibility status is sorted out.

    Rohr stated this ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly match against Brazil on October 13 in Singapore.

    “On Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, it is not easy to invite players who has played already for England or other countries in the U-17, U-18 and U-20 categories.

    “It is very tedious and requires long processes to do so. I could remember that it took us one year before Ola Aina’s issue was resolved before he was cleared by FIFA and was eligible to play for us (Super Eagles), Rohr told Sportinglife.

    Saka has been impressive for Unai Emery’sArsenal so far this season.

    The 18-year-old has scored two goals and registered two assists in five matches for Arsenal this term.

  • Rohr names Super Eagles captain for Brazil friendly

    Rohr names Super Eagles captain for Brazil friendly

    Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed that William Troost-Ekong will captain the Super Eagles when they file out against Brazil in a friendly to be played at the National Stadium in Singapore on October 13.

    The team’s captain Ahmed Musa has been omitted from the latest roster because he’s still recovering from injury.

    Troost-Ekong, who made his international debut in 2015, previously wore the captain’s armband in matches against Poland, Egypt and the most recent game with Ukraine.

    In terms of international experience and national team caps, CD Leganes central defender Kenneth Omeruo leads the way having played 52 games since his senior debut in 2013, while goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the oldest player at 30.

    Asked what his next tasks would be, Rohr told Mannheimer Morgan, ”We have rejuvenated the team further, the average age is now 23 years. Captain William Troost-Ekong is our oldest player at the age of 26.

    ”On October 13 we have a friendly against Brazil in Singapore. This will be followed by two qualifiers for the Africa Cup 2021 on 11 November against Benin and on 19 November in Lesotho.”

  • Super Eagles coach Rohr selects team to face Brazil [See List]

    Super Eagles coach Rohr selects team to face Brazil [See List]

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has invited midfielder Ramon Azeez and forward Peter Olayinka into Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the Oct. 13 friendly with five-times world champions Brazil in Singapore on Sunday.

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Rohr is also having defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem back from injury.

    “Otherwise, the squad is largely unchanged from the side that was forced to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in Dnipro on Sept. 10,’’ he said.

    Olajire said goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Maduka Okoye were also retained in the squad.

    “But England-based Leon Balogun and Russia-based Bryan Idowu are however left out of those called up for the defence.’’

    The NFF spokesman said Azeez, a former under-20 national team captain now with Spanish La Liga side Granada was called up just as English side Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho was left out.

    “Girondins Bordeaux’s Joshua Maja will sit this one out, with his place taken by another new boy, Olayinka,’’ he said.

    Olajire disclosed further that England-based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also returns after missing the Ukraine encounter with injury.

    “Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Scotland-based Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, who scored on his debut against Ukraine, are all back in midfield, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis all back in the frontline.

    “Substantive captain Ahmed Musa is still down with injury,’’ he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all invited players are expected to arrive in Singapore on Oct. 9.

    Nigeria and Brazil will face each other at the Singapore National Stadium at Kallang in Singapore on Oct. 13.

    The clash is coming 23 years after Nigeria, on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal, spanked Brazil 4-3 after extra time in the Atlanta Games’ semi-finals.

    The match was played at the Athens Stadium in the State of Georgia, U.S.

    THE INVITED PLAYERS

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

    Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Anderson Esiti (PAOK Salonica, Greece); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

    Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)