The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given the Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr a new two-year contract.
Rohr’s initial contract signed in August is due to run out next year but the NFF has moved quickly to tie down the trainer ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The new contract handed to the former Gabon manager does not come as a surprise as he led the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup from a difficult group that consisted African champions Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
Interestingly, Rohr has only lost a game in 12 matches including international friendly games. That loss was a 0-2 defeat to South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at home.
Why the contract extension?
The Nigeria FA boss Amaju Pinnick has explained the reason for extending the contract of the 64-year-old.
Pinnick said the move is to nip in the bud any form of distraction before or during the World Cup finals.
“We have decided to confront head-on any possible area of conflict or controversy, and fully resolve each and every possible friction point well ahead of the competition.
“After signing the agreement on payment to the team from expected FIFA income, the next stage was to take care of the Technical Adviser. He has done very well and does not need to go into the World Cup uncertain of his future,” stated Pinnick.
Rohr speaks
The Franco-German who has been in charge of the Nigerian men’s national team for 15 months said he is focused to guiding the West African nation to the “latter stages of the (World Cup) competition.”
“I love working with this group. I am delighted being at the head of such a wonderful, level–headed and ambitious squad.
“I have a German heart – the heart of a winner. I have confidence that with the right atmosphere and the right support, the Super Eagles have the capacity not only to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, but to get to the latter stages of the competition.”
© George Akpayen/The Predictor
