Barring any last minute manoeuvring, German coach Gernot Rohr has proposed to his employers the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) to open the Super Eagles camp immediately after the Christmas ahead of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The 33rd edition of the prestigious continental showpiece will open on 9th January through 6th February 2022 and the three-time champions Nigeria are drawn in delicate Group D along with Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau.
Nigeria will open her tournament on January 11 with an expectedly octane tie against record seven-time champions Egypt at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua.
Pressed for his plans for the AFCON after the Super Eagles rounded off their Qatar 2022 World Cup Second Round Qualifiers with a 1-1 home draw against Cape Verde on Tuesday, Rohr hinted arrangements are already underway for a hitch-free preparation towards the tournament.
“ My proposal is to start the AFCON preparation in Nigeria and to have a friendly here in Nigeria; and I think we can get the best of preparations later not too far away from Cameroon ,” Rohr exclusively told NationSports. “The camp will open towards the end of the year and immediately after the Christmas holiday.
“ Thereafter, we should be able to go as early as possible to Cameroon where we already have wonderful pitches , hotels and conditions which we can take advantage of (before the start of the competition). “
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that purported NFF meeting over the future of the German coach after Tuesday’s listless 1-1 draw against the visiting Blue Sharks of Cape Verde is a ruse after all.
“ There was no board meeting of the NFF after the match against Cape Verde on Tuesday and that much I can tell you, “ a decent source at the NFF informed.“ But the truth is that we are not happy and honestly, I know many would want Rohr to be kicked out immediately but as we speak, there is no meeting to that effect.”
On Tuesday, Rohr had a record 54 Super Eagles matches under his belt but whether he would be allowed to add more remains to be seen.
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