Following Super Eagles recent dismal outing against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, a former international, Coach Eugene Agagbe has called for the immediate sack of the team’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr
Speaking to Daily Trust, the former member of the National U-23 team expressed disappointment in the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, for the sustained interest in the Franco-German coach despite his inability to deliver the goods.
The former Lobi Stars, BCC Lions, Kano Pillars, Sharks and Julius Berger striker reiterated that he was shocked when the NFF decided to reward Rohr with a fresh contract.
To buttress his point, Agagbe recalled that in less than four years, Dutchman Clemence Westerholf was able to win the AFCON title and also qualify Nigeria for her first ever FIFA World Cup in 1994.
He said “I put all the blame on the NFF. They are responsible for the dwindling fortunes of the Super Eagles. I still don’t understand why they are insisting on retaining Gernot Rohr as the national team coach.
“Rohr has done a great harm to our football. He has not performed to the level to be retained as technical adviser of the Super Eagles.
“The late Stephen Keshi with all the distractions from his employers did just three and half years but won the 2013 AFCON and also qualified us for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“These are the types of records that we hold unto. It is time we call a spade a spade because we have to give our own coaches a chance.”
Agagbe who had two caps for the Super Eagles against Madagascar and Namibia under late Coach Amodu Shuaibu, said having proved his mettle within and outside Nigeria, Emmanuel Amunike can do a better job with the team, if given a chance.
“I am not close to Emmanuel Amunike but I know that he has the technical ability to coach the Super eagles.
“As we are all aware, he has distinguished himself in African football where after winning the FIFA U-17 World Championship with Nigeria in 2015, he led Tanzania to AFCON in 2019 after 39 years of waiting.
“He is even recognised by FIFA as a coach who is technically sound. So when you are looking for a coach, there is no way you will give such a man the job of coaching the Super Eagles and anyone will complain unless you have something personal against him,” said the Lobi Stars Youth Coach.
