₦airaland Forum

Super Eagles coach Rohr hits back at demands to use Nigeria-based players

COLIN UDOH



At 66 years old, the Nigeria coach has seen and experienced just about all there is to be seen and experienced. Attempts to rile him, whether contrived or not, continue to fall flat in the face of his measured disposition.

Throughout his tenure as Super Eagles coach, and in recent weeks, there have been calls for him to select more Nigeria-based players in the national team; but Rohr shut that down, telling ESPN in a lengthy interview that the country's best players are in Europe not Nigeria,

"We cannot find all the time players in the local league who are better than the other ones," Rohr told ESPN.

The criterion for us, the first criteria is the quality of the players. Everybody knows, not only in Nigeria, that the best players are in Europe or somewhere else in professional leagues. That is the fact."

As true as that statement may be, it is bound to put Rohr firmly in the line of fire with critics. As if he were not already the centre of attention.

With football -- like other sports -- on a coronavirus-enforced pause, few topics have dominated Nigerian sporting discussion as much as the Super Eagles coach, his contract, his technical abilities (or perceived lack of), and everything else in between.

Early this week, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick stoked those fires in a television interview in which he disclosed certain conditions in the new contract to be offered to the coach.

In typical style, Rohr doused that particular fire in a quick reaction to ESPN, but it did not quite seem to be enough to address the other issues.

Among those issues were the NFF's recent decision to fire Imama Amapakabo, one of Rohr's more trusty assistants, and replace him with the inexperienced former Nigeria captain Jospeh Yobo.

Both the manner of the decision (without the coach being consulted) and the speed of it, not to mention the relative lack of certification of the replacement, would have been enough to rile any other coach.

Not Rohr

"It is interesting to have such a former player with us," Rohr said.

"I was satisfied with the job of Imama. He was a very good assistant. But NFF decided to change so I have to accept, and I accept. I see that this person now is in a good spirit and I am happy about it. There will not be any problem in our staff.

"I think it only could be so easy to say let's do two years more. Nothing special from my side that I want more. So it could be very easy."

To demonstrate his lack of ill-feeling, Rohr said he had already put the newest addition to his staff to work

"We spoke together; he gave me a first call and then I called him back and we are in touch regularly. I even asked him to help me already because I cannot move for the moment to take connections and contact our players in Nigeria.

"I asked him to meet and speak with Ikechukwu Ezenwa, with Ifeanyi Ifeanyi who was with us for one of the last games. There is also Samuel Kalu, who is also in Lagos because he was able to take one of the last planes out of France. So I asked him to be in touch with some of our players who are in Nigeria, and that is what he did.

"I am happy to see that he has good motivation and is in good spirits and I think we can have a good working relationship together."

Ezenwa and Ifeanyi -- whom Yobo will be monitoring on Rohr's behalf -- are part of the German's rebuttal to suggestions that he does not give players from Nigeria's domestic league a chance in his national squad.

Ezenwa has been a permanent fixture of Rohr's squad from the get go, and he was even first-choice goalkeeper for the majority of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ifeanyi was called up for games while was an Akwa United player before he left for Europe.

Rohr pointed out that the numbers back him up, if not the players who run off after call-ups.

"I invited already more than 23 or 24 local players since I have been in charge of the Super Eagles," he said, adding with a slight chuckle, "but we invite them and then immediately they are going to Europe. It is wonderful for them but maybe not for us."

With the B Super Eagles team, which is comprised of domestic league players, failing to qualify for the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN), a tournament for players who play in their country, Rohr said his job had been made more difficult.

"CHAN team and under-20 team must play all the time. The coaches who are responsible for these teams, must work with me together. And normally the best of the league are in either CHAN or under-20 or under-17."

And Rohr says he still has his scouts looking for young prospects in the country, and advises the league clubs to look to the academies for talent.

"I think they should also look at the academy to find the best young players. This could be a new chapter of this next future. That is why I have also my assistants like Victor Agali, like Alloy Agu, who are watching for me, looking for players in the local league. Especially for the goalkeepers, for Alloy to bring me goalkeepers from the league."

Young players have always been Rohr's focus in his time as Nigeria coach.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria had the youngest squad. At the Africa Cup of Nations a year later, the team were the second youngest, and the German says it was deliberate.

With players such as Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Francis Uzoho and Wilfred Ndidi growing into leading roles with the team, Rohr says the next step on the ladder is the development of a uniform playing philosophy that cuts across all the national teams.

"I don't know now how the NFF will organize it but there must be a good collaboration between us with under-23, with under-20, with the under-1 -- and even with the women's team. I had a good solidarity with the women's coach before [Thomas Dennerby] but now he is gone.

"This unity [is something] we need to have in our different teams. To go in the same direction, to play with the same philosophy. The philosophy is to play offensive football with good wingers, with quickness with strikers, young players but also experienced players, too.

"We have good players, great players, young players. Now let us have football that plays well with their talent. Let us lay a good foundation from the back, and then go forward quickly to find our wingers. Then I think we have a good chance to go to the World Cup again and do better than the last time.

"We can do also the same for the local team.

"You know they are not playing the Afcon but there is a lot of things to do for them, to get right the playing philosophy the same as the others. But I am not the coach for the local team. The coach was before my assistant, and we had good work together. Now we have to see what happens."

For the here and now, though, Rohr has an immediate concern. The potential fixture congestion that will follow the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

"When you see the calendar which will come, there will be so many games in the second half of the year. And already decisive games for the World Cup will start in the end of the year. The qualification for Afcon, too, will have to finish before.

"So there will be so many games. Next year, I saw the calendar, perhaps we will have around 20 games.

"If we are in the Afcon, and I think we can do it, we will have one or two friendlies to prepare and then I hope seven games again until the finals. Small final and big final, could be nine games. And then you have the World Cup qualifiers; can be 10. A friendly again or two, 11. A lot of matches to come in a small time.

"This is why it is necessary to know everybody, to talk to the players regularly, because there is no time to make new experiences, to make a test or experiments with new players for something like that."

For now though, none of that matters with COVID 19 still in the air.

Source: espn.com

Subzero047:
Relax, he's 19

Age doesn't play football. Talent and abilty does.

[quote author=ChrisKels post=87264079]Fox sports official sends twitter into frenzy with this GIF of Ejuke against Ajax yesterday. Dude literally ended Dusan Tadic's career there

🔥 | Chidera Ejuke is niet bang voor Dusan Tadic.#heeaja @scHeerenveenhttps://t.co/2E7bzgKpMZ pic.twitter.com/uhXIClW5V4

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 7, 2020

There's more

🌪 | Chidera Ejuke laat Daley Blind zijn hakken zien. #heeaja @scHeerenveen https://t.co/2E7bzgKpMZ pic.twitter.com/KDEik6YSAE

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 7, 2020

Humility017:
On a normal day it seems yobo is not serious
He does not know what he is supposed to do....
A reasonable employee will seek instructions, put a call across to his superior asking him what is expected of him as the qualifier approaches if there is any task to be delegated ?

The green horn coach is expecting Rohr to call him first

I have said it before...the appointment of this yobo was a square peg in a round hole

Lol
He will just come in like a player without any pre-camp assignment. Let him be reminded he is no longer a player

jihday:
footballers too dey lie, just say 'I'm really delighted by this call up'. If he was banging in goals for Chelsea would he not be hoping for an England call?

Exactly my thoughts too.

tbaba1234:
Lookman has accepted so his switch might have started.

I don't think, Iorfa is been looked at, at all.

If SE keeps on being competitive like this, Iorfa won't represent Nigeria at all. His best bet is to sort out all his issues (if he has any, with the NFF and Rohr) now. He is already 24 years old. The night cometh when no man can work".

mvem:
You are one of the few that know better...people here really know less about the virus. Many think you must die when you get it. The virus has about 2% fatality rate...which means about 2 in 100 that gets it is likely to die. About 95% recover from it. Recovery depends on the individual. Female are more likely to survive, old people are more likely to die, kids mysteriously don't get affected like others, also people that smoke or have pre-existing lungs problem are more likely to die...due to the fact that it is a flu virus which attacks the lungs. I am surprise with the ignorance I see here. Many think getting the virus is certain death when it doesn't have 100% fatality rate. The death rate is not due to how potent the virus is but how easy it spreads. Meaning more people can easily get it. Its sister Coronaviruses like SARS and MERS had worse fatality rate but were hard to pass from human to human.... I blame the media, they focus on just deaths but not those that recover. There are even people that show milder symptoms compared to others and the virus don't kill them...Every Info is up there in the internet but people prefer the rumor messages and the WhatsApp messages...since the outbreak of Coronavirus I have seen a lot of misinformation..someone here was even saying it renders a male impotent.... It is not surprising, during Ebola outbreak all most everyone did the salt water therapy that eventually killed some hypertensive people...We should try and be less gullible and ignorant...all the info you need is at your finger tips

Nice one. So many misinformation out there.
However, the 2% fatality rate is enough cause for concern. Anyone might fall into that small 2%, hence the panic. I as a person think the fear generated by the media might be a blessing in disguise as so many people have started cultivating the habit of frequent hand washing which can also limit the spread of the Viral haemorrhagic fevers e.g Ebola, Lassa etc.

Your post is very informative. Kudos.

TheSuperNerd:
I know some of the health professionals who are knee deep in this matter. Lagos will beat this easily. The NCDC in Lagos is well equipped. We boast 4 labs that can detect Coronavirus and determine the next course of action. USA has just six centres that can do that as at last count. This shows how ready Nigeria, Lagos especially, is actually for this. Most countries don't even have the means to detect this virus like we can. It is surprising but true. Corona is dead on arrival in Nigeria.

As for the game holding, time will tell.

Doc, is it that Corona is dead on arrival in Nigeria or in Lagos?. These are two different things. Be specific.

I work in one of the Lassa fever treatment centres (not in Lagos). We go through hell here

GabrielKenneth:
They will continue to work in the hospital na, they just won't teach again. Only a Doctor can teach a medical student at clinical level and resident Doctors. Who do you replace them with? If you have 10Ph.D or even a professor and you are not a medical doctor, you can't teach at these levels so how will NUC win this fight?

Bros, You forgot to add that the requirement for being a Clinical lecturer is greater.
Only a Consultant who have spent 6-7 years in postgraduate training (that individual must have previously spent 7 years in medical school as an undergraduate) can teach Clinical students.

Now, NUC want to add 2-3 years again after 14 years. Na how many years remain to do the actual teaching before they die?

Correcto:
Great!!!! Can you also advise them to resign?

Resign from where?
You employed people and all of a sudden, you said they are not qualified, the right thing is to sack them and employ qualified personnel

Correcto:
What an irritating comment! The problem with you guys is that you underrate every qualification except yours. If you don't want to have PhD then leave the university and work only in the hospital.

Lol.
That's exactly what they've done.
They've left indefinitely.

Who remembers this goal by Osimhen

The making of a Champion

Who remembers this fanstatic ⚽ by Victor Osimhen?#FridayFeeling #FridayThoughts @TheNationNews @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/OORq3i5yJY

— Sporting Life (@sportinglifeng) February 21, 2020

In other news

With roughly a month to go before the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, The Ivorian Football Federation & their head coach Ibrahim Kamara have mutually agreed to part ways.

He’d been in that position since 2018.

Chai!!!!
Rangers fell 1-2 to Akwa United at home

The only away win in the NPFL this week

Clementoke:
Why NFF made Yobo Eagles’ assistant coach – Pinnick

President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has given reasons for Joseph Yobo’s appointment as Super Eagles assistant coach.

Mixed reactions have trailed the decision of the NFF to pick Yobo, a former captain of the national team, as Gernot Rohr’s assistant.

Even some of Yobo’s fellow ex-internationals questioned the 2013 AFCON winner’s experience and qualification for the Eagles job.

But Pinnick, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, said Yobo’s appointment was a unanimous decision of the NFF’s Executive Committee.


“The NFF is very excited with his appointment and will take it as a responsibility to ensure that he gets the requisite (coaching) qualifications at the highest level,” Pinnick stated.

“That’s how Stephen Keshi started. Who says Yobo can’t be the next Nigerian to win the the AFCON as player and coach?

“FIFA stipulates that the head coach and first assistant coach must have coaching licences. Yobo is not the first assistant coach.


“The idea is that we want to nurture and condition him to provide leadership and mentorship for the young team, using the Nigerian factor, which Gernot (Right) cannot provide.

“He’s played for some of Europe’s big clubs, won the AFCON and he is one of our most-capped players ever. So, we should back him to succeed.”

Pinnick added that Yobo’s former teammate at Everton, Mikel Arteta, began coaching immediately on retirement in 2016, despite not having the experience, and rose through the ranks to become Arsenal’s manager.


“When Yobo was at Everton, Arteta was on the bench. But he began his coaching career as an assistant at Manchester City when he retired. Today, he is the Arsenal manager and one of the top coaches in England. So, we should learn to support our own.
“Are we going to keep relying on foreigners all the time?” He said.

Source : The Punch

Please who then is the 1st assistant Coach?

Why NFF made Yobo Eagles’ assistant coach – Pinnick

President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has given reasons for Joseph Yobo’s appointment as Super Eagles assistant coach.

Mixed reactions have trailed the decision of the NFF to pick Yobo, a former captain of the national team, as Gernot Rohr’s assistant.

Even some of Yobo’s fellow ex-internationals questioned the 2013 AFCON winner’s experience and qualification for the Eagles job.

But Pinnick, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, said Yobo’s appointment was a unanimous decision of the NFF’s Executive Committee.


“The NFF is very excited with his appointment and will take it as a responsibility to ensure that he gets the requisite (coaching) qualifications at the highest level,” Pinnick stated.

“That’s how Stephen Keshi started. Who says Yobo can’t be the next Nigerian to win the the AFCON as player and coach?

“FIFA stipulates that the head coach and first assistant coach must have coaching licences. Yobo is not the first assistant coach.


“The idea is that we want to nurture and condition him to provide leadership and mentorship for the young team, using the Nigerian factor, which Gernot (Right) cannot provide.

“He’s played for some of Europe’s big clubs, won the AFCON and he is one of our most-capped players ever. So, we should back him to succeed.”

Pinnick added that Yobo’s former teammate at Everton, Mikel Arteta, began coaching immediately on retirement in 2016, despite not having the experience, and rose through the ranks to become Arsenal’s manager.


“When Yobo was at Everton, Arteta was on the bench. But he began his coaching career as an assistant at Manchester City when he retired. Today, he is the Arsenal manager and one of the top coaches in England. So, we should learn to support our own.
“Are we going to keep relying on foreigners all the time?” He said.

Source : The Punch

I want to see more of sleeky and defence splitting passing from Ejaria. I haven't really seen much of those from the videos of his that I have watched.

Pass wey dey sweet Belle

#Ejaria assist

But those defenders mumu small. Why will they allow that pass go through?

https://twitter.com/ElmParkRoyals/status/1228705873721282560?s=09

With Egypt coach Shawky Gharib confirming that Mo Salah will join the national team for this summer's Olympics in Tokyo, can Liverpool go all the way to get Chukwueze?

LaMujer:
Real Madrid & Man Utd eye Salisu

In-form defender available on the cheap

Real Madrid and Manchester United have made enquiries over the availability of Real Valladolid centre-back Mohammed Salisu, according to AS.

The 20-year-old's form sits in direct contrast to that of his team, with Valladolid's struggles in front of goal seeing the battle to remain in Spain's top tier.

Valencia, Getafe and Atletico Madrid are also said to have registered an interest in the starlet, whom the report claims could be available for as little as €12 million (£10m/$13m).



goal.com


he's a Nigerian, right?

He is a Ghanaian

tbaba1234:
NBBF just appointed an A grade manger for the basketball team.

Which A grade manger would want to work in Nigerian football?

Will the time be enough for the new coach to pass his ideas to the players ahead of the Olympics?. Just thinking.

Rangers down a goal to nil at the Cathedral

Moses Simon scores
They now lead Rennes by 2-1 away from home

TheSuperNerd:
You are still arguing. Abeg I no get time.

This is the original newspost... If you don't understand it. Fine.


"However, the Nigeria Football Federation are looking the way of Finidi George who has the Spanish football philosophy just as ex-Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amunike, the real brain behind Nigeria U17s World Cup wins in 2013 and 2015."

Alright, thanks for the correction.

do4luv14:
thats nice

but isnt Amunike the new head coach of a club in the land of pharoph?

My brother, na there me self confuse o

Allnigeria Soccer reports that the NFF are looking the way of Finidi George who has the Spaniah football philosophy and Emmanuel Amunike, the "real brain" behind Eaglets' WC triumph in 2013 and 2015 for the Youth teams coaching job. Seyi Olofinjana is also said to be in the race.

Away wins in NPFL 19/20

2 Away Wins each:

LobiStarsFC {9}

RiversUnitedFC {8}

SunshineFCAkure {8}

Plateauutdfc {8}

AkwaUnited_fc {8}

HeartlandFC_ng {7}

MFMFC_Lagos {7}

KwaraUnitedFC {6}

(NB Total away points by each team is the figure in bracket in front of each of the Clubs)

Total Away wins: 22

Teams like Kano Pillars and Dakkada FC with away draws aren't included

For those who don't know why Siasia got banned

Rohr my Man . That man with mind games. He never disappoints.


“We’ve 3 tricky opponents in Group C. A few years ago, Cape Verde were Africa’s best FIFA ranked team, CAR have some good players in Europe and we played a friendly in Liberia recently that wasn’t easy...we’ve to be at our best against them.”

NPFL update

Rivers Utd were held to 1-1 draw away at Jigawa Stars. A Festus Austin's own goal earned Jigawa the equalizer.

Rivers Utd, Plateau Utd, and Lobi stars are now level at the top of the log on 28 points.

Also, Nasarawa Utd thought they will secure a 1-1 draw at home with Warri Wolves but their heart was broken with a last minute strike from Godwin Atsimene who had earlier opened scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute. The match ended in a 1-2 defeat for the home team.

Victor Moses has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan on a prospective loan move from Chelsea with a buy option.

This (MD15 of 2019/20) is the first NPFL Matchday with four away wins since Matchday 38 of the 2014 season. Uncommon.

Source: Opta Nigeria