Who Is the Nigeria Football Coach?

Nigeria is a country with a passion for football, and as such, the position of the national team coach is highly regarded. The coach of the Nigeria football team is responsible for leading the team to victory in international competitions such as the World Cup, African Cup of Nations, and many others. This article takes a closer look at the current Nigeria football coach, his background, achievements, and challenges faced.

Background of the Nigeria Football Coach

The current coach of the Nigeria football team is Gernot Rohr, a German football manager who has been in charge of the team since 2016. Rohr was born on June 28, 1953, in Mannheim, Germany. He played as a defender for several clubs in France and Germany before retiring in 1989.

After retiring from playing, Rohr started his coaching career with Girondins Bordeaux in 1990. He has coached several other clubs in France, Switzerland, and Germany, including Nice, Ajaccio, and Young Boys. In 2010, Rohr became the head coach of the Gabon national football team and led them to the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Appointment as Nigeria Football Coach

Gernot Rohr was appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria football team on August 9, 2016. His appointment was made following the dismissal of Sunday Oliseh, who had been in charge of the team for less than a year. Rohr's appointment was greeted with mixed reactions from Nigeria football fans, with some questioning his experience and ability to lead the team to success.

Achievements of Gernot Rohr as Nigeria Football Coach

Since taking over as the Nigeria football coach, Gernot Rohr has led the team to several achievements, some of which include:

• Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup: Under Rohr's leadership, the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This was the sixth time Nigeria had qualified for a World Cup tournament.
• Third-place finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations: The Super Eagles finished in third place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt. The team was eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions, Algeria.
• Qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations: In November 2020, Nigeria secured qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Cameroon. The team finished top of their qualifying group with four wins and two draws.

Challenges Faced by Gernot Rohr as Nigeria Football Coach

Despite the achievements recorded by Gernot Rohr as Nigeria football coach, he has faced several challenges during his tenure. Some of these challenges include:

• Criticism from fans and media: Rohr has been criticized by Nigeria football fans and media for his team selection, tactics, and style of play. Some have accused him of favoritism and not giving young players a chance to prove themselves.
• Poor results in some matches: The Super Eagles have suffered some disappointing results under Rohr, including a 2-0 loss to Madagascar at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and a 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone in a 2022 World Cup qualifying match.
• Contract renewal: Rohr's contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expired in June 2020, and negotiations for a new contract have been ongoing since then. The delay in the contract renewal has led to speculation and uncertainty about his future as Nigeria football coach.

Final Thoughts

Gernot Rohr has been the coach of the Nigeria football team for over four years, during which he has led the team to some impressive performances. However, his tenure has also been marked by challenges and criticisms. As negotiations for a new contract continue, it remains to be seen if Rohr will continue as the Nigeria football coach or if a new coach will be appointed. Regardless of the outcome, the Nigeria football team will continue to strive for success and bring joy to their passionate fans.