Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has reiterated that Nigeria will need all her best players to play at their premium in order to pick the lone ticket from their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification group.
Franco-Germany Rohr made this assertion on a visit to the secretariat of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday, where he met with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and the NFF anagement.
“We will need all our best players to be at their very best. We had a good list for the Tanzania match but a couple of players were injured and we will like to look at those ones as well. The focus is to strengthen the spine of the team and ensure they can beat any team. The confidence has not been there because the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but when results start to come, the confidence will return.”
Rohr, who coached the national teams of Gabon, Burkina Faso and Niger, and also had a stint with Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel, said he was used to working conditions on the African continent and was only committed to returning Nigeria back to the top of the world football ladder.
“I have been well –received by my assistant, (Salisu) Yusuf as well as Imama (Amapakabo) and Alloy (Agu), and also by the backroom staff. To be received with so much warmth by the NFF management means we are all on the same page and we can work together and live as a family.
“I have a very good feeling about this job and the people I have to work with. I am also happy that the first week went very well because the players were able to quickly imbibe our philosophy. We need to have solidarity all round. The Technical Committee members have also been great. Certainly, the National Technical Director also has a role to play. The ambience is impressive.”
While welcoming Rohr and his team, Dr Sanusi assured that the Federation will afford the technical crew all the support and strive to provide the conducive environment for the team to execute the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and come out tops.
“We have immense confidence in you and your staff; we will not dabble into your technical area. Our responsibility is to provide the right atmosphere to make you succeed. We see that you are a gentleman but will not take your simplicity for granted.
“If you can work in a place like Niger Republic, I believe you would be able to work even better in Nigeria.”
Coach Rohr was in company with Salisu Yusuf (Chief Coach), Jean-Luc Royer (assistant) and Tunde Adelakun.
Also at the meeting were Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (NFF Deputy General Secretary), Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (Technical Director), Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Director of Competitions), Mr. Atabo David (Director of Finance), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Mallam Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Assistant Director, Technical), Mr. Siji Lagunju (Assistant Director, Technical), Dr. Robinson Okosun (Assistant Director, Technical), Mr. Tunde Aderibigbe (Head of Protocol) and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (National Integrity Officer).
Kaduna, Ibadan stage Fed Cup semis
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced the semi-finals of this year’s Federation Cup will be staged in Kaduna and Ibadan later this month.
The first semi-final will be at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in in Kaduna between giant killers Crown FC and FC IfeanyiUbah on September 18, while the second semi-final is at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan between Enyimba and Nasarawa United, which will be played on September 21.
The winners of the semi-finals will clash in the final at a venue yet to be announced even though Lagos, which has hosted the past four finals, may likely host the cup final again.
The winners of the cup competition will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
The women’s Federation Cup semi-finals will be in Enugu.