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Tag: Gernot Rohr

  • Lokosa is LBA’s NPFL Player of the Season

    Kano Pillars forward, Junior Lokosa, once again got recognition for his efforts in the league as the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) awarded him 2017/18 Player of the Season.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Masu Gida, goal poacher, is the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) highest goal scorer.

    He is also a recipient of the inaugural Eunisell Boot Award as the highest goal scorer.

    Lokosa, for his efforts got N3.8 million, which represents N200, 000 for each of the 19 goals he scored during the 2017/2018 NPFL season.

    George Akpayen, the Media Officer of LBA, told News Agency of Nigeria that Lokosa would be adding another gong to his blistering career as the player of the season.

    Akpayen said that although the season came to an end abruptly and log leaders, Lobi Stars, were named representatives of Nigeria in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League, Lokosa scored the highest goals.

    “Lokosa scored 19 goals to finish as top scorer when the league was declared concluded after Match Day 24.

    Read Also: Lokosa tipped to shine at Kano Pillars

    “Interestingly, he scored all 19 goals in 21 matches as he missed three matches. The LBA took its decision based on statistics available as at Match Day 24.

    “Lokosa had a fantastic campaign right from the first round when he entered the history books as the first player to score 14 goals after 19 Matches in the top division in Nigeria.

    “Overall, he made significant contributions to the performance of his team and was clearly the poster boy,’’ he said.

    kpayen said Lokosa’s feat attracted the attention of the Super Eagles Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, who listed the Kano Pillars forward in his provisional
    squad for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    “Lokosa eventually made his international debut against DR Congo, but failed to make the final list to the mundial.

    “Lokosa is no stranger to records as he became the first player to win back-to-back LBA Player of the month award for January and February 2018 last season.

    “The LBA will present both awards to Lokosa on a date to be announced,’’ he said.

  • Rohr confesses: Percy Tau was too hot for comfort

     

    If there was one player that gave super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr migraine in the draw match between Bafana Bafana and Super Eagles at the weekend, it was 24 year old Percy Tau.

    The German tactician made the confession while x-raying the match which saw Eagles qualify for the 2019 AFCON despite pulling a 1-1 draw.

    Rohr who is hoping to win the Nations Cup in Cameroon to justify his contract renewal just before the World cup in Russia, described Tau as a wonderful player capable of springing up surprises even as he expressed hope that Tau who is currently on loan with Belgian second division side Union SG will soon play his way into a bigger team in Europe.

    “I would also like to congratulate this wonderful player Percy Tau.” I hope to see him again in a big team in Europe. He has all the qualities to be a player in a big championship and he gave us a lot of problems. But collectively we were able to answer and to get the result we had to get,” he said in a chat with Supersports. 

    Eagles’ last group match will be on the 22nd march 2019 against Seychelles, a tie which most soccer fans have dubbed mere formality.

    Seychelles can best be described as the weeping boy of the group conceding 17 goals in the last five matches and scoring just one against Libya who came close to spelling the country with goals, thanks to their 8-1 victory at the Weekend.

    The Mediterranean Knights have already become talking point following that result with most soccer fans betting that they will edge out South Africa from their current second position after the final match.

     

     

     

     

     

  • AFCON 2019: Supporters Club in South Africa to support Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Supporters Club in  South Africa says it will be in Cameroon to cheer the Super Eagles during the AFCON tournament.

    Nigeria booked a place after playing a one-all draw with South Africa in a Group E match played in Johannesburg on Saturday.

    Nigeria is leading the group with 10 points while South Africa is second with nine points.

    Libya is third with seven points while Seychelles is the last in the group with one point.

    Osita Okeke, the Chairman of Super Eagles Supporters Club in that country, told the Agency on the telephone from Johannesburg that members of the club were happy with Nigeria’s qualification.

    “Members of the supporters club join other Nigerians to celebrate Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON tournament.

    “Though two goals scored by Nigeria were disallowed; we are still happy with the qualification,” he said.

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    Okeke said that the South African chapter of the club would begin early preparation to ensure that Super Eagles get total support in Cameroon.

    “We will meet soon to start preparing for the AFCON tournament. But, we will liaise with our national body before going to Cameroon.

    “We appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence early preparations for the tournament in Cameroon,” he said.

    Okeke said the club was delighted that the  Super Eagles team was made up of young players, adding that the team had performed well under the tutelage of manager, Gernot Rohr.

    The chairman commended the NFF for ensuring that the Eagles qualified for the AFCON tournament after missing the last two editions.

    NAN

  • Synthetic grass, strong wind tough for Eagles-Rohr

    Despite the Super Eagles’ emphatic 3-0 bashing of hosts Seychelles in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the team handler, Gernot Rohr has revealed  that the Eagles had to contend with other problems before achieving victory.

    Eagles’ Captain of the day Ahmed Musa’s deflected shot, Chidozie Awaziem’s goal and Odion Igalo’s efforts gave the Eagles the 3-0 victory but the Eagles’ gaffer said his team had to contend with the strong wind and most importantly synthetic grass before achieving Nigeria’s first three points in the ongoing AFCON qualifier.

    “We dominated from the beginning and scored logically two nice goals. The synthetic grass and the strong wind were not easy to handle for our players. Ighalo scored again and we didn’t concede a goal”, Rohr disclosed to Sporting Life shortly after the match yesterday.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • AFCON 2019: Rohr not under pressure to deliver

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is not a man under pressure. The former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso coach is leading  Nigeria to 2019 Nations cup in Cameroon and from all indications he has no need to have sleepless nights.

    Perhaps sleepless nights can only come, if he fails to qualify the Eagles for the championship which Nigeria has failed to qualify for on two occasions since lifting the trophy under late Stephen Keshi in 2013.

    The Eagles were conspicuously missing in the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and the 2017 edition in Gabon.

    Prior to the World cup most Nigerians set what some analyst dubbed their ‘private world cup target’ that the Eagles should go beyond the round of 16 which has been the highest point we have reached and which we have repeated thrice 1994, 1998 and 2014.

    Rohr was told to ‘do well’ in Russia and was saved the usual “deliver or take a walk “headache for which coaching has come to be known.

    Ahead of the series of qualifiers leading to the Nations Cup in Cameroon, President of Nigeria football Federation Amaju Pinnick has declared that the Glass House wants the coach to make “meaningful Impact” in Cameroon.

    The NFF boss says the desire of the Glass House is not necessarily to win at all cost but to build a football culture with special emphasis on grooming younger players.

    “Our vision, as we have indicated from day one, is to build a sustainable football culture for our dear nation. To do that, youth development is key,” said the NFF president.

    “That is what we are trying to do with the U-15 squad which recently reached the final of the African Youth Games in Algeria, and which will form the bulk of the next U-17 team.

    “We will approach the matches one game at a time. Our objective is not only to qualify for the finals, but for the Super Eagles to also make a meaningful impact at the finals in Cameroon in the summer of next year,”

    Well with that template in mind, Rohr on Friday dished out his squad in continuation of the qualifier against Seychelles.

    The Eagles lost their opening match of the qualifying 2-0 at home to South Africa in June last year and resume away to Seychelles who have been dubbed minors in some quarters.

    It is safe to assume that Nigeria will qualify for the main event and emerge from her group currently led by Libya with three points followed by South Africa with three points and Nigeria and Seychelles occupying the bottom without points.

    As the Eagles begin the quest for qualification, and with strong believe in our minds that the team will ultimately pick one of the slots for the final tournament, the question we would like to ask is’ what performance in Cameroon in your own thinking would translate to “Meaningful Impact?

     

     

  • AFCON Qualifiers: Rohr inspects Ahmadu Bello Stadium

    *to release list against Seychelles Friday

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, on Wednesday inspected the newly renovated Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna as preparations begin in earnest for the remaining matches of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

    Nigeria play away to Seychelles in Victoria on Matchday 2 of the series on Friday, 7th September and must then entertain Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Nigeria on Matchday 3 in the second week of October.

    The Franco-German tactician checked out the facilities at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in company with NFF’s 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Super Eagles’ Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor.

    Officials confirmed to thenff.com that former Germany defender Rohr will on Friday this week release his list of invited players for the away clash with Seychelles.

    After hosting Libya on 10th October, the three –time African champions will play away to the Knights three days later, before flying to South Africa for the return against the Bafana Bafana on 17th November. The last match of the series will see the Eagles hosting Seychelles on 22nd March 2019.

    In the opener to the series in June 2017, the Eagles lost 0-2 to the Bafana Bafana in Uyo.

    The finals of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals are scheduled to be staged in Cameroon next year summer.

    Rohr who bagged a two year contract extension just before the World Cup in Russia Sportinglife.ng gathered is eager to impress in the Nations cup in Cameroon after what some Nigerians have dubbed below average performance in Russia.

    Nigeria is the fourth African country the former Nice of France Manager will be handling, having coached Gabon, Niger and Burkina faso in the past.

  • Moses tells Rohr: groom new players

    Retired Super Eagles player, Victor Moses has kindly advised Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr to look out for new players to make the Nigeria Senior national team.

    The Nigerian forward gave his thought from a media statement on Wednesday to announce his departure from the Super Eagles.

    The 27-year old said in the statement that he had called Rohr to inform him about his decision not to continue with Nigeria on any national assignment.

    And, that he seized the opportunity to give a piece of advice to the national team coach on the best way to position the squad for future engagement.

    Part of the statement which Moses also shared on his Instagram page to thank the National team handlers, the Nigeria Football Federation and the team coaches reads;

    “I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish.

    “We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.

    “I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years.

    “Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It’s meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team.”

    Moses whose last engagement for the Super Eagles was at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia, represented Nigeria 28 times and scored 10 goals before his retirement on August 15, 2018.

  • Technical transformation, sacrifice by Mikel helped in beating Iceland – Rohr

    Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr on Friday said his team’s 2-0 defeat of Iceland was all down to technical transformation and sacrifices by the duo of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.

    Nigeria beat Iceland 2-0 at the Volgograd Arena in a Group D match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with the win pushing them into contention for qualification.

    Rohr who spoke at the post-match conference also praised his team and coaching staff for working hard to achieve the victory.

    “We changed our formation to 3-5-2 and it was good for us. It was a different style in defence.

    “Kenneth (Omeruo) is so strong in the air and we needed that to cut off the crosses by Iceland into the box and also the set-pieces.

    “The players, as well as all the staff, worked so hard in the past six days or so for us to be ready for Iceland and be able to achieve this.

    “Everybody was not happy after that loss to Croatia and we all realised that we must get going to be able to realise our dreams,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Mikel ready to play in any position — Rohr

    The coach added that the team also benefited from the sacrifice made by the duo of Obi and Moses who opted to play as needed and asked of them.

    “Mikel has in the last two years been playing as an offensive midfielder, especially now in China, while Victor has been playing as a forward. But we needed them to play in different roles today.

    “We needed to convince them to make the sacrifice for their country, and they accepted. They played so well in these roles and the team and their country benefited.

    “It is not easy having to do so, especially when you have to combine defensive duties with offensive duties. But the team is now the better for their sacrifice,’’ he said.

    Rohr also praised two-goal hero Ahmed Musa, saying his speed as well as his work rate helped a lot in pushing back Iceland in the second half especially.

    “We realised at half-time that we needed to do something to change the game, and that was why we brought in Tyronne Ebuehi to add more offensive force on the left flank.

    “Musa now added to it with his speed, and this changed the game for us. By the time we did more of counter-attacks, and with quick passes in the middle we had the game in control,’’ he said.

    The coach nonetheless praised Iceland for their game, saying “they gave us a good fight, they were fair and showed good attitude, even after the game’’.

    Nigeria will now face Argentina on Tuesday in St Petersburg needing at least a draw to qualify for the Round of 16.

     

    NAN

  • Okocha praises Rohr for accepting Criticism

    Former Super Eagles international, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has heaped praises on Coach Gernot Rohr for accepting criticisms and changing his tactics, leading to Nigeria’s victory over Iceland in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Okocha, speaking on Supersports after the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Iceland, noted that it is difficult for coaches these days to accept criticisms, but with Rohr doing that, he should be commended.

    Recall that Okocha had blamed the 2-0 loss to Croatia in the first match to lack of having a creative midfielder, urging Rohr to play Iwobi in the midfield.

    In his word “I think I am a little better now. I was a bit nervous going into this match, but I must commend Coach Gernot Rohr for accepting criticisms and changing tactics for this game.  It is difficult for coaches these days to accept criticisms, as they always prefer to stick to their plans, but his change of tactics has granted Nigeria victory.”

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria started the campaign against Iceland slowly, becoming the first team in the 2018 World Cup not to have a shot in the first 45 minutes of action.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Okocha blames loss to Croatia on lack of creativity

    But they came out a different side in the second half, recording four shots on target, converting two in the process. Victor Moses lofted a pass towards Ahmed Musa in the 49th minute, and he controlled the ball and smashed in the half volley.

    The Nigerian striker would go on to get his brace in the 75th minute when he found space on the left, beat Iceland defender Kari Arnason and rounded goalkeeper Hannes Por Halldorsson before slamming the ball into the net.

    Musa is now the first Nigerian player to score a brace in two FIFA World Cup matches.

    Nigeria will face Argentina in the last group match in St Petersburg on Tuesday, 26th June, in a match where the winner will qualify for the round of sixteen,  while Iceland face group leaders Croatia in Rostov-on-Don.

    Iceland had a chance to reduce the scoreline in the 89th minute, when they got a penalty, awarded by the VAR but Gylfi Sigurdsson went on to miss it.

  • Rohr vows to knock Eagles to shape

    Gernot Rohr has promised to knock the Super Eagles into top shape before the team leaves Austria for Russia on Monday.

    The Nigerian senior national team lost two friendly matches in quick succession against England and Czech Republic but Rohr said yesterday’s training has showed that the players have made improvement after last Wednesday’s defeat.

    The ex- coach of Niger stated that the last days in the team’s camp in Austria will be tough for the players. “We are working very hard. We have time now for concentration before our first match against Croatia.

    “Playing Czech Rep  was not easy for us because in between that match and that of England, we used four days to travel.

    “After that, we have to recover and change our tactics. Now, we can work physically, technically and tactically.

    “We are going to make use of the remaining days in Austria to work very hard in our training sessions. We will train twice everyday until we leave for Russia on Monday.”

    He was, however, satisfied with the level of commitment displayed by the players assuring that the team would be ready to do the country proud in Russia when the World Cup begins.

    “Today, I’m so happy with the commitment of the team. The players are improving and we will be ready because we have a week to finalise our preparation,” Rohr stated.