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Gernot Rohr on brink of Nigeria sack as Sports Minister questions German’s technical abilities

Nigeria sports minister Sunday Dare fist-bumps Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr during Nigeria’s training at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

 
Gernot Rohr is on the verge of losing his job as Nigeria coach after overseeing a poor run of form that has seen the Super Eagles fail to record a win in four matches in 2020.
Nigeria lead Group L of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with eight points — just one clear of second-placed Benin, who they’ll face in March next year.
But despite topping their group, many Nigeria supporters want the Nigeria Football Federation to fire the 67-year-old following an unimpressive run of form culminating in this month’s back-to-back draws against minnows Sierra Leone.
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And now, it appears Nigeria sports minister, Sunday Dare, has yielded to pressure from such fans.
Dare, in a tweet on Wednesday, doubted the gaffer’s abilities and apologized to Nigeria supporters for the embarrassing performances against Sierra Leone.
“The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr,” wrote Dare.


He ended his message by suggesting Rohr would be shown the exit door before Nigeria’s next match.
“Nigerian football deserves better. The needful will be done. Apologies to all football lovers.”
Rohr took over from Sunday Oliseh in 2016 following the resignation of the former Nigeria International.
He initially signed a two-year contract with Nigeria, and extended it by two years just before the 2018 World Cup.
The tactician, who signed a new two-year deal with Nigeria in May, led the Super Eagles to 2018 World Cup qualification and guided the team to a third-place finish at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
And last year, the former Niger tactician kicked off the 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign with back-to-back victories.
However, this year, he’s led Nigeria to their worst streak in a calendar year since 1970 — with the Super Eagles drawing three matches and losing one.
Rohr’s team kicked off the year with a 1-0 loss to Africa champions Algeria in a friendly in October. That was followed by a 1-1 draw with Tunisia.
The friendlies against the north Africans were followed by back-to-back AFCON qualifying matches against Sierra Leone, which many expected to be easy games for the two-time African champions. However, the unimaginable happened: Nigeria dropped points in both games.
In Benin City, Rohr’s side faltered after taking a 4-0 win following Alex Iwobi’s brace and goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, allowing the visitors snatch a 4-4 draw.
The reverse fixture ended goalless.

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