NFF must put Rohr in check —Adamu

Football administrator and former FIFA Executive member, Dr Amos Adamu, has called on officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to put Gernot Rohr in check if the Super Eagles will do well at Russia 2018 World Cup.

In an exclusive interview with Tribunesport during his visit to the Tribune House, Ibadan, on Tuesday, Adamu stated that Rohr had the bragging rights now that he has coached the Eagles to Russia 2018 World Cup but must not be allowed to take his employers for a ride.

‘’This is the time for the FA to assert their authority on Rohr.  He should be told that he could lose his job anytime after all, there are many coaches out there who can handle the Eagles. That is the way to put him on his toes and improve his trade. As an administrator, I wasn’t pampering my players or coaches. I was only giving them what they needed and they in return, must give me result.”

He recalled that Frenchman Phillipe Troussier grew wings upon winning the France ’98 ticket for Nigeria.

‘’Troussier would travel without permission and claim to have connections with the Aso Villa under the late Sani Abacha. Those at the NFA then were afraid to caution him, but I organised a press conference as the Director in the Ministry of Sports to announce the sack of Troussier and that was the end of it’’.

Adamu, as the sole administrator of the Nigeria Football Association, also recalled that he clipped Clemens Westerhof’s wing by dragging the Dutch coach before his godfather, Augustus Aikhomu to tell him the home truth.

‘’I told Westerhof I would sack and deport him to end his World Cup hopes. From then on, he became calm and reasonable.’’

Meanwhile, Gernot Rohr has revealed he is elated working with the Super Eagles, after the three-time African champions became the first African country to qualify for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

“I am very excited to be working with this team —a blend of the experienced and the young and ambitious ones. They are a delight to be with at all times, and I believe we are onto great things.

“At the beginning of the qualifying series, many people said we were going to be chasing it. But we sat down together and we promised ourselves that we would go all out and get the ticket.”

The 64-year old, who was employed by the NFF 15 months ago, has played 10 matches, winning six and losing only one.