NFF sack Rohr, name Eguavoen interim technical adviser of Super Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation says it has terminated, with immediate effect, its relationship with Franco-German Gernot Rohr, who has been in charge of the three –time African champions for the past 64 months, and is Nigeria’s longest –serving manager.
The decision to sack Rohr was reached on Sunday at a a virtual meeting of the NFF Executive Committee.
General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said: “The relationship between the Nigeria Football Federation and Mr Rohr has come to an end. We thank him for his services to the Super Eagles and Nigeria.
The NFF, in a press statement also announced the appointment of former Nigeria international Augustine Eguavoen, currently its technical director, as the technical adviser of the Super Eagles on an interim basis.
Eguavoen, a former Nigeria captain, was coach of the squad when it finished in third place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2006. He was on-field captain when the Super Eagles lifted the Africa Cup for the first time on away ground, in Tunisia 27 years ago.
He will now take charge of the team as it begins preparations for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon 9th January – 6th February 2022, and until the appointment of a substantive Head Coach.
The federation also announced that Eguavoen will work with Salisu Yusuf (Chief Coach); Paul Aigbogun (Assistant Coach); Joseph Yobo (Assistant Coach); Dr Terry Eguaoje (Assistant Coach) and Aloysius Agu (Goalkeeper Trainer).
Former Nigeria captains Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal have been appointed to provide technical and ambassadorial support for the crew.
Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World in Russia where the team failed to make it beyond the group stage before taking the Super Eagles to a bronze medal finish at the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019.
The 68 year old came under fire after the Super Eagles unispiring runs since that bronze medal finish and particularly following the team’s lacklustre displays in both the qualifiers for the 2022 AFCON and 2022 FIFA World Cup.
