Sports

Gernot Rohr’s Sack: Uncertainty As Nigeria Search For New Coach

Published

4 years ago

December 13, 2021

The Franco-German is no longer the Super Eagles head coach, following a virtual meeting of the NFF Executive Committee on Sunday.

But it feels Rohr should have been gone since 2018, after Nigeria failed to qualify from their World Cup group. The team needed a draw against Argentina to progress. Somehow, they conceded a late goal and duly crashed out.

Another good time to have sacked him, was after the 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone in November 2020. Rohr’s men threw away a four-goal lead, a result that NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, described as the worst under his tenure.

Yet, Pinnick didn’t act.

The Leone Stars also held the Super Eagles to a 0-0 draw in Freetown. It essentially meant the three-time African champions failed to win a single game throughout 2020.

However, the writing was on the wall, after Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Central African Republic (CAR) and drew with Cape Verde during their 2022 World Cup qualifying series.

After the Cape Verde game at home, Rohr was advised to resign. He declined.

The last few weeks, has seen the NFF in talks with the 68-year-old’s camp over the termination of his contract and negotiating his pay-off.

NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, will now take charge of the team, as they prepare for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations is Cameroon.

Eguavoen will work with Salisu Yusuf, Paul Aigbogun, Joseph Yobo, Dr Terry Eguaoje and Aloysius Agu.

However, the NFF have made it clear he is working with the team temporarily.

The big question then is: will the football house plump for a local coach like Emmanuel Amuneke or Sunday Oliseh? Or will inferiority complex force them to scout around for another incompetent white man?

This uncertainty does not help the Super Eagles. They have a major tournament to prepare for in a few weeks. There is also the matter of the World Cup play-offs in January.

Since the NFF had finally taken the decision to fire Rohr, they should have had a replacement on standby. This is not club football, where you have a lot of matches to instill a playing style or redeem bad results.

Whatever happens in the coming weeks, analysts believe the first good decision has been made by sacking Rohr.

Sports

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.