The future of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has been in the air for weeks with rumors suggesting the 68 year-old could get the sack before the Africa Cup of Nations which is now just 38 days away.
Nigeria’s apex football body and his employers, the NFF, had debunked rumors of the sack amidst the hoohaa caused by the Super Eagles’ underwhelming performance in the final World Cup group qualifying match against Cape Verde in Lagos last month.
But in a meeting, Thursday, Rohr’s future was yet again the Elephant in the room when a high level Sports Ministry and NFF meeting held.
Minister of Sports Sunday Dare, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi were in a closed door conference call believed to have The President’s Chief of Staff in attendance Ibrahim Gambari.
Whilst no big decision has been reached on whether the German coach will get the boot, from all indications Rohr will likely lead Nigeria to her 19th appearance at the AFCON.
Speaking with journalists after the officials wrapped up Thursday’s meeting, Pinnick didn’t give up much as he fielded questions concerning the Super Eagles Coach.
He did disclose that a decision on Rohr; ahead of the AFCON, will be taken with the interest of Nigerians as top priority but in consultation with the Ministry.
“We have discussed all the nitty-gritty A-Z, There are so many things we have looked at. Ultimately we are definitely going to come out with what will benefit the totality of this Country,” said the NFF President.
“I am not going to tell you whether he (Gernot Rohr) is going to remain or not, there is a lot of new thinking, a lot of new direction and we are going to take that into cognizance.
“I’ll go back to my executive committee and I’ll have to come back again, to the ministry, we are working in a very closed harmony, taking into cognizance the Nigerian Factor and what is the Nigerian Factor, the love for the game and the fact that we don’t want to hurt Nigerians and that is the truth.
“We are looking at it from a very objective and scientific perspective.”
