Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has received a vote of confidence from no less a person than national team captain Ahmed Musa as speculation about his long-term future rumbles on.
The future of the German tactician who is set to lead Nigeria as they begin their 2021 AFCON qualification campaign against Benin later today is the subject of intense speculation with his contract with the Super Eagles due to run out in seven months.
While recent reports suggested the 66-year-old would be cut loose once his contract expires next June, Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has, however, indicated that Rohr would be offered new terms were he to agree to a raft of new conditions.
A major demand by the NFF is the oft-repeated wish for the German to “domesticate” his activities and work towards providing a pathway for domestic players into the Super Eagles.
- NFF’s Game Of Thrones With Gernot Rohr Risks Burning Eagles AFCON Chances
- Pinnick Tells Rohr To Learn From Dennerby
- Rohr clashes with Pinnick over Super Eagles’ friendly against Egypt
- NFF Decide Gernot Rohr’s Future Following AFCON 2019 Bronze Finish
- Super Eagles: Rohr Defies Pinnick With Latest Squad List
- Rohr Gives Reasons For Regularly Snubbing NPFL Players (AUDIO)
While it remains to be seen if the former Bordeaux manager would accede to the demands, Musa who is expected to lead Nigeria’s charge for victory against the Squirrels of Benin believes Rohr remains the right fit for the job.
Delivering an endorsement of the German’s time with the Super Eagles during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, the Al Nassr forward who is one of the longest-serving players in the current squad and has played under several national team managers, said Rohr’s stellar record in qualifying was a welcome departure from what obtained under previous managers.
With Rohr at the helm, Nigeria qualified with consummate ease and a game to spare for both the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
And that, allied with Rohr’s man-management skills is sufficient evidence of his suitability for the job Musa said in what might be a subtle indication of the players’ position regarding Rohr.
“I’ve been here for long and I’ve played under a lot of coaches,” Musa said. “With this coach, we qualified for the World Cup with a game to spare and for the Nations Cup, we qualified the same with one game left.
“But with the other coaches, not that they are not good, but we’ve had to play the dying minute game before we can qualify so for me I’ll say he is lucky and he is doing all his job to make all his players happy I think that’s the most important thing in the team.”
Nigeria open their 2021 AFCON Qualifying campaign against the Squirrels of Benin Republic 5pm at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Kickoff is at 5pm.
