By Uzor Odigbo
Sequel to two poor outings of the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has given strong indication that may lead to the sack of Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr.
Nigeria’s match with Sierra Leone on Tuesday was the fourth and last fixture of the national team this year.
The Super Eagles lost a friendly match to Algeria last month and were forced to draw by Tunisia in another friendly match.
“The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr. Nigerian football deserves better. The needful will be done. Apologies to all football lovers.”
Super Eagles dashed a 4-0 first half lead scored within the opening 30 minutes in their first leg and were within a space of 14 minutes in the second half forced to a 4-4 draw.
Although the Coach Rohr is not under the direct employment of the ministry of sports, the minister in a tweet on Wednesday remarked:
“It would be recalled that never since 13 December 1959 when the now defunct union of Egypt and Syria (United Arab Republic) beat Nigeria 6-2 in Lagos had Nigeria conceded such high number of goals at home.
“In the return leg, Nigeria laboured to a barren draw thus ending 2020 without winning a single match.
“The last time that happened to the national team was 1970 when Nigeria played only two matches – drew 0-0 with Congo in Ibadan and lost 2-1 in Brazzaville.”
Gernot Rohr met the Minister in 2019 to prevail on NFF to renew his contract.
Incidentally, late last year when the NFF showed reluctance in renewing Rohr’s contract, the coach ran to the minister for intervention. The NFF is a parastatal under the ministry.