The new Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Mr. Gernot Rohr has said that he was excited to be handed the Nigerian job, stressing that the country has big players capable of getting to the latter stages of the World Cup.
The German, who was speaking after signing a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja that will see him work as the Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles.
At a brief ceremony held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja yesterday, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi signed on behalf of the federation, in-between Mr. Rohr’s own signature.
Rohr, clad in a simple shirt and jean trouser and wearing a smile, 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 FIFA World Cup, but get to the latter stages of the competition.”
Pinnick said after the ceremony that the agreement is for two years, with the former German defender, who also coached top French club Girondins Bordeaux and elite Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel, handed a target of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
“We are happy that this has been sealed and we can now focus on other arrangements for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting in October,” said Pinnick.
Rohr, 63, will step out with the Super 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 dead rubber as both teams are out of the running for the tournament, it serves as a test game for the Eagles ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Zambia on 3rd October. Nigeria will also play Cameroon and Algeria in the qualifying race.
Officials confirmed to thenff.com that Coach Rohr is scheduled to embark on VIP scouting immediately, which includes flying to Spain to watch the NPFL All-Stars play against Atletico Madrid and Malaga in Cadiz on Friday, in the Trofoe Carranza tournament.
