NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have told Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr that they can no longer guarantee his physical security and as such he should resign his position as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, Nigeria limped into the final qualification round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after an unimpressive 1-1 draw with Cape Verde at home. This shoddy performance was the last straw for many Super Eagles fans who among other seen witnessed their team suffer a 0-1 humiliating loss at home to lowly Central African Republic.
With the final round of qualification involving a two-legged knock out tie against much sterner opposition in February, NFF officials are wary of leaving Mr Rohr in charge. Nigeria will either face Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Dr Congo or Mali in the final round and NFF officials are particularly concerned about the fact that Mr Rohr lacks the flexibility to change players or tactics when needed.
Over recent days, Mr Rohr has been summoned to the NFF where he has been told that his position is no longer tenable but honouring the severance pay package in his contract remains a sticking point. One board member said Nigerians have had enough from Mr Rohr and he should be asked to go irrespective of what it entails to severe the contract, while others have asked him to resign as a way around it.
There might be an amicable solution over coming days as NFF board members have told Mr Rohr that he is at risk of being hounded and harmed by angry Nigerian football fans and they are unable to guarantee his safety in the country. A deal may thus be worked out under which Mr Rohr gets a partial pay-off of some sort.
Mr Rohr signed a contract extension in May 2020, which should have lasted until the end of the 2022 World Cup but he appears to have lost the trust of his players, the NFF and the general public. Mr Rohr is said to be resigned to losing his job although he is averse to resigning.
One matter that really irks the fans is Mr Rohr’s total dependence on a particular set of players, irrespective of form or whether anyone better is available. Both the NFF and Mr Rohr are trying to work out an amicable solution between themselves while insiders say the NFF is already interviewing for the head coach’s job.
