The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Genort Rohr

  • No room for errors against Cameroon- Rohr

    Cutting out individual errors will be a priority for Nigeria when they take on holders Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations in Alexandria on Saturday.

    A defensive lapse from centre back Leon Balogun saw Nigeria concede early and go on to be upset 2-0 by Madagascar in their last group game.

    It was result that relegated Nigeria to second place in the group and effectively set up a meeting with their neighbours and arch rivals in the first knockout round.

    “I’m scared of us committing individual errors and I hope we won’t have individual errors again tomorrow that will cost us,” said Coach Gernot Rohr, who is hoping the hiccup against the Malagasy might yet turn out to be a positive.

    “The match against Madagascar was a little deception but we and the fans have learnt to be humble.”

    Read Also: Eagles Won’t Lose Sleep over Cameroon AFCON Match, says Rohr

    He said the team wanted make amends after that disappointment.

    “There were changes in the team to play some players and keep them in the rhythm of the competition but now the best team has to start against Cameroon to do their best and make Nigeria proud,” the coach added.

    Nigeria and Cameroon have a long history of struggles for hegemony in the African game, with the Super Eagles having the upper hand in their last contest, in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

    “You know when you hear Cameroon and Nigeria there is always a sense of revenge,” he said.

    “We know that Cameroon are very strong with good footballing education in France and we hope we can find their weak points,” he added.

    “It is now that the real tournament is starting for us and we have seen the fixtures. All eight games are very difficult for everybody. Even for Egypt and of course for ourselves.”

    Rohr confirmed captain John Mikel Obi is ruled out of the game because of injury. (ESPN)

  • World Cup: Why Super Eagles lost to Croatia – Rohr

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, on Saturday said the team’s 0-2 loss to Croatia in their opening match of Russia 2018 was due to “many mistakes’’.

    Rohr, while speaking at the post-match conference of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D fixture, said he and his players were aware they made some important mistakes during the game.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played in Kaliningrad, the Eagles lost through an own goal by Oghenekaro Etebo and a Luka Modric penalty kick.

    “We know we made some mistakes, too many important mistakes, and it is clear that we need to get better in order to move on,’’ the coach said.

    He said the entire team was disappointed at the result, adding that they needed to work on being professional with the set-pieces.

    “Our organisation was good, that is clear just as the tactics were not wrong, but we need to be more professional in the way we take the set-pieces. We need to be better before our next game,’’ he added.

    Rohr, who admitted that the loss had made their task more herculean, said team Captain, Mikel Obi’s performance in the game was satisfactory just as he equally praised the defenders.

    “Mikel has since I took over always been playing the way we deployed him today, and this has yielded results for us.

    “But, he couldn’t have done better than he did today, because of the quality of those he was playing against.

    “He had Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona and Luka Modric of Real Madrid playing against him, and they are of good quality and playing for clubs bigger than that of Mikel who plays in China.

    “So, he really did well,’’ he said.

    On the 62nd minute substitution of Alex Iwobi, the coach said it was not done out of poor performance by the Arsenal FC player.

    “Iwobi deserved his starting place, based on his performances in the last few days. He only had big work to do with the full back, and this took much out of him.

    “However, he did well and I don’t think he shouldn’t have started the game,’’ he said.

    Rohr, however, assured that he and his assistants would go on to ensure the team was improved upon before their June 22 date with Iceland in Volgograd.

    “We will improve because it is important for us. We have to get better in order to move forward,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Disu says goalkeeper’s experience valuable to Super Eagles

    Disu says goalkeeper’s experience valuable to Super Eagles

    Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), Tunde Disu, on Monday in Lagos supported the recall of former Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama by Coach Genort Rohr.

    Disu expressed his support in an interview after reviewing the Eagles gaffer Rohr’s stance on the team’s goalkeeping situation.

    The Eagles Franco-German tactician in an interview had said that Nigeria still needs a world class goalkeeper, casting shadows on the prospect of available goalkeepers in the team.

    The team has yet to have a regular shot stopper since the former number one goalkeeper Carl Ikeme of Wolverhampton Wanderers was diagnosed of acute Leukaemia.

    In his stead, Rohr called upon the South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi to action; only for the former to fail the test in the African Nations Cup qualifiers against Bafana Bafana in Uyo.

    Akpeyi conceded two goals in the first match; the first major loss recorded in Rohr’s era as technical adviser, thereby limiting his chance of returning between the sticks.

    During the crucial World Cup qualification against Cameroon, Rohr had to put his trust in Okechukwu Ezenwa which was successful as the local-based shot stopper helped with a clean sheet.

    The match against Cameroon ended 4-0, while the return leg in Yaoundé ended 1-1.

    On the contrary, many soccer pundits are of the opinion that Cameroon’s only goal was as a result of Ezenwa’s inexperience at handling strikers who might want a trick him.

    Ezenwa, however, kept another clean sheet against all-determined Chipolopolo of Zambia a game which ended in a frosty 1-0 earning Nigeria the automatic qualification to the 2018 Mundial in Russia.

    With Rohr’s eyes set on a good campaign in the World Cup, the gaffer is set to test the waters not only shopping for a more experienced goalkeeper.

    This to him is necessary in order to have a permanent replacement for the ailing Ikeme, who may not be fit to play during the World Cup.

    The Franco-German muted the idea of recalling the highly experienced Enyeama who already has two World Cup experiences under his belt with a caveat that the goalkeeper’s recall will be by his terms.

    With many diverse opinions on the Enyeama’s recall, Disu, who had previously coached Enyeama during the age grade tournament in 1999, said the experience of the shot stopper was valuable.

    “I know Enyeama very well; he started with me in the U-20 championships in 1999, but did not make the team in Ivory Coast due to some circumstances above him.

    “He is a professional goalkeeper, he is stable, and one of the oldest goalkeepers in the country now. One thing about goalkeepers is that the older they are, the better they become.

    “Enyeama is a disciplined goalkeeper who does not tolerate nonsense, if we are to look at his sacrifice for the country, how he has saved us, then, he merited the recall.

    “He does not have the physique of Peter Rufai, but he is technically gifted and knows how to organise his defence line, he commands respect,’’ Disu said.

    Disu, a former defunct Green Eagles Assistant Coach, said that the only snag about Enyeama is that he might be temperamental at times which could be tolerated by the team.

    “The only negative I know about Enyeama is that he is sometimes too temperamental, he doesn’t like people taking him for granted, and he might be erratic in such condition.

    “I really don’t want to dabble into his situation with Sunday Oliseh because they are both my boys; if Enyeama is recalled, we will see that he is a thorough bred professional.

    “The only thing which might be a problem is how he will be able to cope in the team not being the captain. On the field, the most experienced players take the captains armband.

    “Assuming Mikel the current captain leaves the field and passes it to Onazi, who also leaves the field who takes it? They are all junior to Enyeama, this issue of captainship must be settled,’’ he said.

    Disu said that aside the hierarchical order of seniority in Eagles which might be altered if Enyeama was recalled; the goalkeepers experience could be valuable to Eagles campaign in the Mundial.

    “Aside the leadership position which might be altered, if Enyeama is recalled, he will prove a good asset to the team as the young goalkeepers still need to learn from his techniques.

    “Enyeama is such a good goalkeeper anyone will like to have in his team because he serves the ball well, he controls the ball and you can always hear his voice during the build-up.

    “World Cup is a game for world star players and class, and we cannot afford to experiment by taking rookies to the centre stage, especially in the goalkeeping department.

    “Although Enyeama is just returning from an injury but if he is fit enough, he can go to the World Cup, I can bet on his experience,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Disu warns Rohr on tactics against Cameroon

    Disu warns Rohr on tactics against Cameroon

    Tunde Disu, former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Sunday warned Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr against wrong tactics against Cameroun in the Russia 2018 qualifiers on September 1.

    Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the team’s tactical formation against South Africa in the AFCON qualifiers was wrong and should not be used again.

    He said that the Eagles loss to Bafana Bafana in the AFCON qualifiers was due to wrong tactical formation, adding that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun would be more tactical.

    “The formation used by Rohr during the AFCON qualifier against South Africa is wrong tactics. He cannot use a supporting striker as an arrow head when using 4-3-3.

    “Rohr should know that Kelechi Iheanacho cannot spearhead attack, that is not his role and that is why he is roaming about during the match against South Africa without a shot at goal.

    “I want them to sit down and analyse the match themselves, that system is faulty because most teams can now predict the formation. If we use that selection and tactics, we will be embarrassed.

    “Rohr should align with the modern tactics of play rather than stick with the old play which will not benefit us. We are too predictable now.

    Disu said that the players at the disposal of Rohr were good enough to accommodate another formation which was less probable to opposing teams.

    “We cannot continue to use the 4-3-3 formation, it’s outdated and counterproductive. We should rather play 4-2-3-1 which is far better for the defenders.

    “The players determine the system and not the system that determines the players. It is better to have two defensive midfielders in front of the defenders, maybe if there is an overlapping one.

    “Playing 4-3-2-1 formation also means that we need intimidating strikers like the late Rashidi Yekini to torment the opposing teams. We have Gbolahan Salami before but I don’t know if he is not called.

    “The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders while full-backs join him in attack. The striker could also be very fast.

    “African soccer is more physical and there is need for us to have a strong striker in the manner of Salami that can torment the defence of our opponent,’’ he said.

    Disu warned Rohr to be wary of Cameroun threat could pose to the Eagles’ qualification, adding that a loss to Indomitable Lions would close the qualification ticket.

    “I want the coach to be careful with the Cameroonians so that they will not scuttle our chances; any defeat to them closes the qualification ticket.

    “It does not matter where we are now because we won’t be begging Cameroun to lose any of their games after defeating us.

    “The Indomitable Lions are in form now and they are using the modern formation. Rohr needs to change that formation or else we will be out of contention.

    “To beat those indomitable Lions, a very good top 9 will be a good option and not necessarily to score goals but to torment the defence line and maybe to create chances for others,’’ he said.

    Disu said that other countries and clubs have been winning through the golden formation, noting that countries that had yet to play the style were lagging behind.

    “I want to give the example between Spain national team and the Germans. The Germans are more tactical in their formation and are not playing false 9 like their Spanish counterparts.

    “The golden formation continues to have the upper hands. In these cases, the opponent’s defense will be forced to fall back early, thereby leaving space for the offensive central midfielder.

    “Rohr does not need to inject fresh blood into the team but play within what he has to achieve better results. We are blessed with players that can suit the golden formation.

    “The coach should also have two options in which he can switch and Iheanacho should drop back for a strong striker for him to be effective,’’ he said.

  • AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    A former international, Edema Fuludu, says the absence of Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo will not make any difference in the Super Eagles formation when they play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Sunday.

    The Eagles will host the South African national team at Uyo in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged by Cameroon.

    Fuludu, a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the coach, Genort Rohr, had reasons for not playing them.

    NAN reports that the captain of the team, Mikel, and striker Ighalo, will be missing in action in the qualifying match against Banana Banana of South Africa on June 11.

    “The truth is that whether they are present or not, the show must go on and it’s important that we don’t disrupt the current formation of the players.

    “They have won their matches back to back which has shown that they are making progress; the technical adviser has an approach to each match.

    “I’m sure there are still roles that they can play and also remembering that Mikel has an injury.

    “Contrary to speculations that the choice of the location of their clubs maybe a hindrance, everyone has a fair chance of playing in the team,’’ he said.

    Fuludu, a former central defender, said that one of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) mandates to Rohtr Gohr is to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the Nations Cup.

    “How he chooses to go about the qualifiers is totally up to him to a large extent.

    “He has a target and in his projection, he must have been able to analyse the players that fit into his plans.

    “So, it’s totally up to him, their absence is not a snub whatsoever, we know they are experienced players, we can’t take that away from them,’’ he said.

    On his expectations, the former Manager of Warri Wolves FC, told NAN that the match won’t be a walk in the park.

    “The thing is that in as much as this match is crucial to us, we must tie all loose ends; there is no luxury for slips, we need to take our chances.

    “It’s key that they play as a team, also they should play according to instruction and they should use their discretion when necessary,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Group B of the competition consists of Nigeria, Zambia, Algeria and Cameroon.

  • Keshi loses out on Burkina Faso’s job

    Keshi loses out on Burkina Faso’s job

    … German Rohr to coach Stallions

    Out of contract Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has lost out in his bid to replace Paul Put as Coach of the Burkina Faso National team, following the appointment of German’s Genort Rohr.

    Keshi was rumored to be the front runner for the job due to his age, but just as it happened when he was linked to the managerial role in South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, the Burkinabe Football Federation opted against employing him as the country’s national team coach.

    He was the preferred choice of the country federation’s president, Col. Sita Sangare, but Rohr was named as the new coach on Wednesday, sl10.ng reports.

    However the news comes as a relief to the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, who said a few days ago, that he prays Keshi turns down Burkina Faso and commits himself to a new deal, with the NFF.