Pending official confirmation, Gernot Rohr has been relieved his duties as Nigeria national team head coach.
After lackluster performance against Cape Verde and in the other fixtures of the African World Cup qualifying matches en route to Qatar 2022, Rohr has been facing criticism by local media and fans.
His departure comes after leading led the Super Eagles in 54 international matches over the course of five years and three months, winning 28 of those matches.
According to a source very close to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rohr’s exit is as good as done.
“Rohr is going. In fact, the NFF is expected to release a statement in the next 24 hours,” the source tells Ducor Sports.“It’s still unclear why the coach is leaving. The truth will come out soon.”
NFF president Amaju Pinnick sounded cagey on Friday when asked him about the future of the coach.
“The Board of the NFF is studying the report of the Technical Committee, which it submitted after the match against Cape Verde in Lagos on Tuesday. There are a number of possibilities but we have not taken a decision to sack Gernot Rohr. I want to assure that whatever decision is eventually taken will be one that will please the generality of Nigerians,” Pinnick said.
“Mr Rohr has a contract with the NFF and there is a procedure for disengagement. If we get to that bridge, both parties will look at the contract and see what has to be done both ways. The Super Eagles’ squad is a national asset and we are just fortunate to be in that space to take decisions. Any decision we take must be what will be acceptable to Nigerians from far and near.”
The new coach will guide the Super Eagles in the 2022 World Cup play-off, and also the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January.
Nigeria may face any of Ghana, Egypt, Cameroun, Mali or DR Congo for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
