The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rohr

  • Rohr eyes another “Oyibo” as back up

    Rohr eyes another “Oyibo” as back up

    From all indications Hungarian-Nigerian central defender, Kenneth Otigba will make the next squad of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, if he impresses Gernot Rohr when the manager visits Turkey.

    The 24-year-old reportedly turned down the chance to play for Hungary in preference for Nigeria but he has been severally snubbed by past coaches of the team.

    Now in Turkey with Kasimpasa, he is on the list of players new Super Eagles coach Rohr will scout in Turkey during his planned visit to the country that is home to over 15 Nigerian players.

    So far he has made nine appearances in the league with one goal and four yellow cards to his name, and his invitation will no doubt add competition to the battle for the central defence spot of the Super Eagles.

    For now, William Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun are the preferred duo, with their combination earning them the nickname “Oyibo Wall”. Otigba is also an Oyibo ( word for fair or half caste individuals in local Nigerian language) and he will fancy his chance against the duo.

  • My boys were not nervous, reveals Rohr

    My boys were not nervous, reveals Rohr

    • Says race is not finished

    Gernot Rohr has reflected on a difficult evening for Nigeria as the Super Eagles dug deep on Saturday to beat Algeria 3-1 in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

    “I have told the players that it (qualification race to Russia) is not finished; there is still a long way to go. There are still another 12 points (to fight for). We have started well by winning our first two matches.

    “We still have another four games to play and these are extremely difficult games. We still have to go to Algeria and Cameroun and Zambia will also come to our place. These are extremely difficult games,” he said.

    “We had to defend well. We suffered so much in the beginning of the second half (especially) after Algeria scored. But we kept cool heads and none of my players was nervous; they were really professional which led to our third goal.

    “The players, who came on (as substitutes) in the second half brought in something (positive) and helped us with counter attacks and that led to our third goal.

    “We defended well and had a good organisation on (Riyad) Mahrez and (Islam) Slimane; everyone knows (these two) are very dangerous players,” Rohr said at the post match press conference.

    The win sees Nigeria remain at the summit of Group B with six points from their opening two games.

    Nigeria’s cause to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals was also helped on Saturday when the other game in the group between Cameroun and Zambia in Limbe finished 1-1.

  • Rohr: I have enough tips to beat Algeria

    Rohr: I have enough tips to beat Algeria

    Super Eagles’ head coach, Gernot Rohr has disclosed that he has enough information on the Fennecs of Algeria and that he also relies on tips from one of his assistants who has worked with George Leekens, the new handler of their Saturday 2018 World Cup qualifier foes.

    Rohr told NationSport that from the research he made of the Algerians they have proved to be very difficult to beat and also possess fast paced players that may give the Eagles defenders heartache if they are not vigilant.

    The Franco-German hinted that he would adopt the right strategy and tactics with which to unlock the Algerians and also render their star players duo of Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez ineffective.

    Rohr pointed out that he has implicit confidence in the Eagles under his watch and that in spite of the danger likely to be posted by the Fennecs today, Nigeria will triumph and consolidate on their position on the log.

  • PINNICK AMAJU: We don’t owe Rohr $47,000-a-month salary

    PINNICK AMAJU: We don’t owe Rohr $47,000-a-month salary

    • Says German was paid for two months long ago
    • Won’t divulge source of payment
    • Denies getting cash from Ifenayi Ubah

    Sportinglife can reveal that the $47,000-a-month wages due German tactician, Gernot Rohr to handle the Super Eagles has been paid by chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Disclosing this exclusively to Sportinglife on telephone, NFF President Melvin Amaju Pinnick, stated that the German was paid his two months wages worth $194,000 before he went on the 10 days vacation to Europe, stressing that: “I would want to commend Rohr for embarking on the tour of Europe at no cost to the federation.”

    “All this talk of the NFF owing Rohr is part of the diabolical machination by those not interested in supporting the federation to secure the 2018 World Cup ticket to distract us. We are grateful for having such a matured coach as Rohr, who is focused on achieving the objective of securing the World Cup ticket at all cost for Nigeria, in fulfilment of the tenets of his contract.

    “Those who don’t like the federation have filled the media space with the rumour that Rohr’s salary is being paid by Ifeanyi Ubah. Of course, that is a lie from the pit of hell. Ubah is an incredible supporter of the Nigerian game, but he is not the person paying Rohr’s salary. Nigerians are free to confirm from Ubah if he indeed is the person paying Rohr’s wages.

    “The NFF won’t divulge where we are getting the cash to pay Rohr. We have set goals for ourselves and we are determined to achieve them,” Pinnick said.

  • Rohr gets triple injury boost ahead Algeria clash

    Rohr gets triple injury boost ahead Algeria clash

    Nigeria international Victor Moses is set to return to the Chelsea squad for their Premier League clash with Leicester City today.

    The winger has resumed full training after a hamstring complaint kept him out of the World Cup qualifying fixture against Zambia last weekend.

    The news will be sweet music to the ears of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, who has assured that the former Crystal Palace and Wigan star remains in his plans for the upcoming meeting with Algeria in Uyo.

    In the same vein, Watford number ten Isaac Success and Mainz central defender Leon Balogun have worked their way back to full fitness and are available for selection for their respective teams this weekend.

    Coach Rohr is expected to announce his roster for the World Cup qualifier against Algeria before the next two weeks.

  • Rohr counts on Iwobi to deliver goals

    Rohr counts on Iwobi to deliver goals

    Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has backed Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi to help his side get the winning goals against Zambia in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier today.

    Iwobi has been impressive for the Gunners this season after breaking into Arsene Wenger’s first team.

    And the Super Eagles handler is confident the 20-year-old will inspire the team to victory against the Chipolopolo.

    “Of course, Iwobi was injured the last time and couldn’t play against Tanzania,” Rhor said during a press conference.

    “So naturally he is here. Everybody knows that he is a good player. I hope his integration into the team will make our first team in Ndola.

    “The training was good and we tried to help bring him into the team. We analyzed our own game, so he knows how we played in Uyo and we cannot change so much tactically because the time is short.

    “To change we have other system of strategies because it will be the same style in Zambia. I count a lot on him that he can help us win the game.

    “Because we must have a good striker and a good attack and we must have good quality players and have who can score.

    “The problem in Uyo is that we could not score, we have 27 shots on goal but we could score only one,” he concluded.

  • Rohr congratulates SupportTheNPFL Goal King Award winner, Obaje

    Rohr congratulates SupportTheNPFL Goal King Award winner, Obaje

    Nigeria’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has congratulated 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) highest goal scorer,  Godwin Obaje on receiving the maiden edition of SupportTheNPFL Goal King award in Abuja on Friday.

    The SupportTheNPFL Group who are the flagship promoter of the fastest growing football league in the world, NPFL were on hand to present Wikki Tourist goal poacher, Obaje for scoring eighteen goals being the highest in the Nigerian league in 2015/16 season.

    Currently preparing the Super Eagles for a FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Zambia on Sunday, Gernot Rohr was on hand to present the award to the Goal King who is also in the Super Eagles camp

    The delighted German tactician, Rohr was full of smiles when he met with the SupportTheNPFL crew as he charged Obaje to surpass his personal goals record.

    “I am proud of your achievement this season, you have been challenged to surpass your personal goals record. Congratulations,” Gernot Rohr said as he gave the plaque to Obaje.

    Godwin couldn’t hold back the joy of being celebrated as he dedicates the award to his family,  friends and team mates.

    “I am delighted, it is a great honour. I am dedicating the award to my family, friends and teammates at Wikki Tourist and I hope to be better next season,” Obaje said.

    According to one the scribes of the SupportTheNPFL group,  Adepoju Tobi Samuel, Nigerian football deserves to be celebrated even in the midst of obvious challenges.

    “Football has its place in the heart of Nigerians regardless of where they are, it’s a sport that has brought joy to the land and it’s only appropriate that we celebrate the main actors. Even in the midst of obvious challenges, football has always brought something special to Nigerians,”Adepoju stated.

    The SupportTheNPFL 2016 awards was solely sponsored by the Gombe State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment,  Mallam Farouk Yarma.

     

  • Rohr banks on Iwobi to destroy Zambia

    Rohr banks on Iwobi to destroy Zambia

    • Says Arsenal star will solve goal scoring problem
    • We have Zambia’s video —Rohr
    • Expects changes in strategy from new Coach

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has tipped Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi to help his team score goals when the Nigerian team confronts the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on Sunday.

    The Franco German Coach was excited with the presence of the Arsenal rising star and he did not hide his belief that Iwobi could help unlock the defense of the Zambians to score the needed goal(s) on Sunday. Rohr told the media representatives that covered his first media parley in Abuja yesterday at the team’s Bolton White Apartment Camp.

    “(Alex )Iwobi was injured the last time he was invited to play for Nigeria against Tanzania. He is here now and everybody knows that he is a good player. I hope his integration in the team will make our first team strong enough in Ndola.

    “We cannot change much tactically because the time is short (to do that now). I count a lot on him (Iwobi) that he can help us to win the game.

    “We must have a good striker and a good attack; we must have a good and quality playing game and we must have players who can score.

    “We don’t want the problem that we encountered in Uyo to repeat itself in Ndola. In Uyo (against Tanzania) we had 27 shot on goal but scored only one goal. It was a problem”, Rohr disclosed.

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has allayed fears over the invisibility of the Chipolopolo of Zambia at home boasting that he knows the strength and the weaknesses of the host team.

    Nigeria will slug it out with Zambia on Sunday in a fierce battle for the only ticket for the 2018 World Cup which also comprise of other top African teams Algeria and Cameroun. Rohr is not afraid of winning his first world cup qualifier  away from home.

    “We have the video of the last five games of the Zambian team. We are also aware of the fact that they have changed their coach so it can be a bit different (in technic and style) but I think the Coach will present the same players against us in Ndola.

    “We know them (Zambians) very well. We have watched their video clips of their last five games together two days ago (Wednesday) and yesterday (Thursday) too. We know much about the team. What we don’t know is the strategy the new coach will employ since he is a new Coach handling the team now.

    “But we have professional players that know the situation so we can have good adaptation concerning the situation. The Zambian Coach can employ another strategy but we have our strategy and we will play our game. The most important thing is our team not the other team.

  • BATTLE OF NDOLA: Rohr, assistants arrive Abuja

    BATTLE OF NDOLA: Rohr, assistants arrive Abuja

    Nigeria’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr and some of his technical assistants on Sunday landed in the Federal Capital, Abuja as preparations kicked off for next week’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia in Ndola.

    France –based Rohr, who has now been provided with accommodation in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), jetted into town aboard an Air France flight  with technical assistant Jean Luc Royer and video analyst Nabil Trabelsi.

    The team’s backroom staff were early birds at the team’s Bolton White Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, with chief coach Salisu Yusuf expected on Sunday evening and assistant coach Imama Amapakabo expected today, after he would have picked up Nigeria’s elite League trophy as his table -topping Enugu Rangers hosted El-Kanemi Warriors on the final day of the season on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, Captain Mikel John Obi has debunked reports of his being injured, saying he is fully fit and ready for Sunday’s cracker at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium against the Chipolopolo.

    “I don’t know where the story about my being injured came from. I have no injury. All the other players and myself are fit and ready and we are determined to start the World Cup race on a winning note,” Mikel told the team’s Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor on Saturday.

    Players are expected in camp as from today with training sessions scheduled for morning and evening each day before departure to Ndola by chartered flight on Friday.

    The clash between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo (who both fought out a memorable Africa Cup of Nations final in Tunis in 1994 that the Eagles edged 2-1) will start at 2.30pm Zambia time (1.30pm Nigeria) on Sunday.

  • …As Rohr rings up Super Eagles for World Cup clash

    …As Rohr rings up Super Eagles for World Cup clash

    MEANWHILE, Coach Gernot Rohr has personally phoned up the players to check up on them ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia, reports Africanfootball.com
    Zambia will welcome Nigeria to Ndola on October 9 to kick off the mini-league qualifying series for Russia 2018.
    “Rohr has been in touch with the players, checking up on them and encouraging them ahead of the World Cup showdown in Zambia next month,” a top official informed.
    “He wishes to raise their confidence and self-esteem by this personal contact.”
    Rohr will announce his squad for the Zambia showdown this week.
    The experienced Franco-German coach won his first match in charge of the Eagles earlier this month when Tanzania fell 1-0 in Uyo. He has harped on the need for the players to have self-belief after the failure of the country to qualify for two straight AFCONs. “The confidence has not been there because the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but when results start to come, the confidence will return,” he said. “It is a difficult challenge (to qualify for the World Cup). Nigeria are not the favourites after we did not qualify for the last two AFCONs, but we hope to be at the World Cup.”
    He has hinted on a recall for both Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and Portugal-based Oghenekaro Etebo after both players missed the Tanzania game due to injuries. But while Iwobi is back in full action, Etebo has suffered yet another injury setback in Portugal.