After protracted deliberations, the NFF has finally terminated the relationship between the Federation and Gernot Rohr.
Augustine Eguavoen is appointed to take over provisionally.
The Super Eagles are in a mini turmoil. Barely a month to the African Cup of Nations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to fire its manager Gernot Rohr.
The news is no surprise. Nigerians had clamoured for the German to be relieved of his duties. The calls came after lacklustre performances during the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers.
The Super Eagles had put up insipid displays with no discernable style and were embarrassed on a few occasions. The call for Rohr to be fired reached a fever pitch when the Central African Republic beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria 1-0 in Lagos. The defeat at the hands of the weakest team in the group was a bitter pill for fans to swallow. From that moment, it was a matter of when rather than if.
The Super Eagles barely scraped through to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers when they drew 1-1 with Cape Verde in Lagos. It was a tense match that could have seen Nigeria spiraling out of the qualifiers.
All these culminated in the current situation, with the Nigeria Football Federation deciding to sing the Nunc Dimitis for Gernot Rohr. It brought an end to a tenure that yielded no trophies.
Rohr fired, Eguavoen takes over
Following the dismissal of Gernot Rohr, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to fill the gap with former Super Eagles defender and manager Augustine Eguavoen. Eguavoen, who is currently the Technical Director, takes over the position of Technical Adviser of the team. The appointment comes on an interim basis.
Gernot Rohr has been the longest-serving Super Eagles manager after being on the job for the past 64 months. During his tenure, the Super Eagles failed to win any trophy. Augustine Eguavoen is to take over with immediate effect.
On Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee made a few decisions. They agreed that Eguavoen would take charge of the Super Eagles. He will be working with Salisu Yusuf (Chief Coach), while Paul Aigbogun will be his Assistant Coach. Joseph Yobo will also remain as an Assistant Coach alongside Dr Terry Eguaoje. Aloysius Agu remains as the goalkeeper trainer. To provide technical and ambassadorial support for the team are Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal.
Thank you and a goodbye
On Sunday, the General Secretary to the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi announced it terminated the relationship between the Nigeria Football Federation and Gernot Rohr. In his statement, he thanked the German for services rendered.
Sanusi also showed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for guiding the association to make the proper decisions.
Eguavoen, who was manager of the Super Eagles when it won a bronze at the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, will now take charge of the team. He has the task of preparing the team for the 33rd AFCON, taking place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 2022.
The Super Eagles play Egypt in their first match on January 11.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
