The Nigeria Football Federation and Mr. Gernot Rohr have signed a two-year contract that will see the former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso coach work as Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles. The ceremony at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, saw NFF President Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi signing on behalf of the federation.
Pinnick told thenff.com that the agreement was for two years, with the former German defender, who also coached top French club Bordeaux and Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel, handed a target of qualifying the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“We are happy that this has been sealed and we can now focus on other arrangements for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers starting in October,” Pinnick said.
“I am enthusiastic to get to work. This is a big challenge because Nigeria has big players everywhere and has the ability to do well internationally. 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 World Cup, but get to the latter stages of the competition.”
Rohr, 63, will step out with the Eagles for the first time when Nigeria host Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Port Harcourt in a few weeks. Although the match is a mere formality as both teams are out of the running for the tournament, it serves as a test game for the Eagles ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Zambia on October 3. Nigeria will also play Cameroon and Algeria in the qualifying race.
Officials confirmed to thenff.com that Rohr is scheduled to embark on scouting immediately, which includes flying to Spain to watch the NPFL All-Star play against Atletico Madrid and Malaga in Cadiz on Friday, in the Trofoe Carranza tournament.