Gernot Rohr lacks the technical depth to take the Super Eagles past the playoffs given the performance of the team during qualifiers
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigerian national team qualified for the playoffs of the World cup on Tuesday evening, after playing out a 1-1 draw with less fancied Cape Verde.
But the technical depth displayed by Gernot Rohr throughout the qualifier has left fans and pundits to wonder if he can move the Super Eagles past the next round expected to be played in March 2022.
Outside the 2-0 against Liberia at Teslim Balogun Stadium, the Eagles wobbled in the remaining five group games, especially the games at home.
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The three-time African champions struggled against the so-called minnows, as they lost to the Central African Republic (CAR) who finished bottom of the group.
They also needed two penalties to go past a Liberian side, who played in Morocco, a neutral ground, due to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ban.
Despite knowing they needed the last game against Cape Verde, another side
ranked way below them by FIFA, they only managed to hold them to a draw.
In the playoffs, they will come up against the likes of Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These are not minnows, they are proven African heavyweights, some of them are ranked higher and have a better pedigree than the Super Eagles.
Given the fact that there are only five tickets up for grabs and the quality of coaching from Gernot Rohr, it shouldn’t be a shock if the Eagles fail to qualify.
The 68-year-old blamed the absence of Iwobi, Ndidi, and other midfielders for the scandalous loss to CAR, but still struggled to win when they became available.
Nigerians have failed to see his tactical blueprint and his in-game management in the six group games, despite the depth of talent at his disposal.
His team have consistently failed to dominate minnows and impose their game. What will be his tactics when he faces proven strikers like Salah, Mane, or Mahrez?
Nigerians will be waiting to see the response of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to these puzzles in the coming weeks.