Opinion: Of Gernot Rohr’s Safety and NFF Shenanigan by Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello

Just before the Coach Scout - Gernot Rohr's exit from Nigerian Football....... 

The quote below was parts of a statement attributed to the NFF and circulated across social media some days ago. I am prompted to pen this opinion piece after waiting for the NFF for a rebuttal....it never came. 

“We told him that based on the conditions on ground, we can no longer guarantee his safety. We have given him a choice to take. Are you ready to work under such hostile environment or you want to walk away?” 

How unethical, a blatant dereliction of duty by the NFF. How unethical! ...a downright threat to human life....

Basically putting a gun to his head so to speak. Has Nigeria now gotten so bad that insecurity is what you should be using as factor to discuss a football contract? Subtle Threats? 

I am not a fan of Gernot Rohr, a stand that I have made known since his resumption, based on his poor records and dislike for home based footballers. 

In Nigeria, we have better indigenous coaches with better records and experiences. Rohr as we know is too inexperienced to coach the Super Eagles, he only got lucky, though he might have done well as coach for the Flying Eagles or Dream Team.

That said, how could the NFF say they cannot guarantee his safety? Such an unfair thoughts to process, or even say.

With this statement, they are exposing Rohr to imminent dangers. It means Rohr, 'you are on your own' whatever happens to you, deal with it!

While we impatiently await the sacking of Gernot Rohr as Super Eagles Coach, nothing must happen to Rohr. His absolute safety in Nigeria is NFF's responsibility and by all means necessary, they must ensure that he is safe while the contract lasts. No evil must befall Gernot Rohr. 

_As a matter of fact, if Rohr wants to play dirty, he could sue the NFF for that statement_

Is the atmosphere not hostile already? You guys are now throwing him to the lions, to be devoured? What if he was physically attacked by his perceived enemies or those that have been unhappy with his results as Super Eagles Coach, following your statements?

Whatever dealings you are having with the coach, he is representing our great Nation and, we must be honorable enough to ensure his safety. 

If the coach abides by the contract rules and he hasn't defaulted, the honorable thing to do is go back to the contract, pay him off, let him go, and not threaten him with insecurity. So insensitive! 

If you do not have money for now, both parties could sit at the table, make an offer, and negotiate. Hey Rohr, we only have 50% for now, we will pay at a later date. Very gentlemanly. 

This is the right time to employ someone you believe in. It is that straightforward, stop already with the play of insecurity cards. 

 

You cannot run away from your duties because there is a contract in place, Rohr has not breached it but Nigerians want him out! I want him out of the Super Eagles as well! 

I ask again, what is so special about Rohr, why does he seem so untouchable? If Rohr was an indigenous coach, would he have lasted this long? As we all know, he would have been disgraced and sacked long ago.

I will conclude by saying there is yet another crisis brewing and on the horizon for the NFF and if they want to make good plans ahead of the Nations/World Cup campaign, this is the time to fix it!!!

NFF, wake up!

_Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello is an award-winning Nigerian Journalist. Author. Gender Advocate and Sports Governance analyst. She writes from Abuja, Nigeria._

Aderonkeogunleye@gmail.com

Behold! Serbian coach tipped to replace Gernot Rohr as Super Eagles Coach

 

There seems to be clear indications as regards the future of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

The Franco/German tactician looked to have handled his last game for Nigeria after the latest information from sources close to NFF disclosed that a new coach may soon be announced for Super Eagles.

On Saturday, this reporter confirmed the sack of Super Eagles chief coach Gernot Rohr. The Nigeria football federation finally reached an agreement with the Franco/German to terminate his contract which was was expected to run to December, 2022, on mutual grounds. 

The NFF also agreed with Gernot Rohr's representatives to pay all his outstanding salaries and his total severance package on installmental basis. 

Now there is a good news. The Nigeria football federation have concluded plans to employ 47 year old former Serbian National team coach Mladen Krstajić as new coach of the Super Eagles.

NFF president Amaju Mekvin Pinnick will arrive London on Monday to seal the deal. 

Krstajic led Serbia to the 2018 world cup in Russia where they failed to proceed beyond the group stage of the competition 

After Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Cape Verde that saw the Super Eagles sail through to the final round of the world cup qualifiers, NFF president Amaju Melvin Pinnick and other board members met in the room of one of the Vice presidents. 

Also at that meeting was Super Eagles chief coach Gernot Rohr and Tunde Adelakun his representative. 

The NFF did not mince words as they told Rohr that his services are no longer needed. According to an insider, both parties agreed to terminate his contract immediately while they work out modalities to pay his severance package which is reported to be around 600,000 USD. 

Rohr has since returned to his base in France while the NFF are moving ahead with getting a replacement in good time ahead of the 2021 Nations cup which is just over 40 days away.

By Adewale Ajayi

NFF Boss, Amaju Pinnick sees Infantino, Motsepe’s visit as a boost for girl-child advocacy

 

President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick says that the presence of President of world –governing body FIFA, Mr Gianni Infantino and CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe at the opening ceremony of the maiden Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos on Wednesday is a huge fillip to the push for more interest and attention to the challenges confronting the girl-child all over the African continent.

 

“I feel very happy that Mr Infantino and Dr Motsepe were able to grace the opening ceremony of this special tournament. It is a bonus and a boost for the girl-child advocacy. It shows there is genuine desire and keen interest of football leaders to not only improve the standard and visibility of the women’s game, but to also scale up the lot of the girl-player economically and ensure she can earn as well as the boy-player.

 

“Already, we can see that desire and interest manifest with the increase in the participating teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to 32 – the same number as the men’s finals – as from the next competition in 2023. On the African front, the Confederation of African Football has put in place a CAF Women Champions League which finals will hold in November. All these are key building blocks to improving the lot of the girl-player.”

 

Infantino and billionaire businessman Motsepe who took reins of the African football –ruling body six months ago landed in the City of Lagos on Wednesday, hours before the commencement of a tournament staged in honour of the name and Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari and with the instrumental theme, Playing for Good. It also dovetails with the key objectives of the First Lady’s Future Assured Programme (under the Aisha Buhari Foundation), which is concerned with the health, education and economic empowerment of women and the girl-child.

 

The two prominent figures in the global game shared the presidential box of the remodeled Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island with top –ranking political figures such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, his wife Ibijoke, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare and the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.

 

There were also FA presidents from other African nations, including Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku (who is also president of the WAFU B) and the president of Mali FA, Mamoutou Toure.

 

Infantino and Motsepe were then treated to a blue-riband dinner at the Sky Lounge of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, where they mingled with the best of Nigeria corporates that included billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele and chief executive officers of NFF’s partner and sponsor-companies.

 

On Thursday morning, both eminent men flew to the nation’s Federal Capital, Abuja where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR at the Presidential Villa.

NFF requests State FAs to appoint integrity officers

The Nigeria Football Federation has, in line with the implementation of its National Integrity Initiative Guidelines, requested that each of the Football Associations of the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory nominate two individuals as State Integrity Officer and Assistant State Integrity Officer respectively. 

NFF celebrates Onigbinde at 80

Right there at the launching of the Western Nigeria Football Forum, inside the Cocoa House on Friday, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde got a surprise birthday gift.

Pinnick charges other zones to emulate South West

.... Insists Western Nigerian Forum will compel healthy competition

Amid pomp and glitz, but with a full appreciation of the task at hand, leaders of the South West zone of Nigerian Football on Friday in Ibadan launched the Western Nigerian Football Forum, and in the process unveiled the logos for both the Forum and the fulcrum, the Odua Football Leagues.

NFF inaugurates Audit Committee, Technical Study Group

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Tuesday inaugurated the Federation’s newly –composed Audit Committee and the Technical Study Group at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, declaring them “critical panels that have much to contribute to Nigerian Football’s development.”

Pinnick charges Eagles to win CHAN trophy for Buhari

The firm exhortation by Nigeria FA boss Amaju Pinnick to win the African Nations Championship trophy for President Muhammadu Buhari will be ringing in the ears of the Super Eagles as they file out against host nation Morocco in the Final on Sunday.

Mustapha, Adamu become latest Nigerians in CAF

The positive ripple effects of NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick’s election into the CAF Executive Committee 10 months ago continued on Friday with further key appointments of Nigerians into CAF.

Super Eagles will not underrate Sudan - Salisu

Head Coach Salisu Yusuf says his wards will come to the party with their iron gloves when Nigeria confront Sudan in the second semi final of the 5^th African Nations Championship in Marrakech on Wednesday.

NFF unveils Falcons coach, Dennerby

The record –breaking feats of the Amaju Pinnick –led Nigeria Football Federation continued in sleek fashion on Tuesday with the unveiling in Abuja of Mr. Thomas Dennerby, a former Coach of the Women’s National Team of Sweden, as Head Coach of the Super Falcons.

How Sports Minister Dalung spurred Eagles to victory

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, provided the big impetus that steered the Super Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday at the 5^thAfrican Nations Championship, which has now taken the team close to a place in the quarter –finals.

WAPIC becomes NFF’s ‘Official Insurance Services Provider’

The Nigeria Football Federation and WAPIC Insurance PLC on Friday in Lagos signed an agreement that conferred on the insurance giant the title of ‘Official Insurance Services Provider and Co-Sponsor of the NFF.’

Rohr signs contract extension with Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday signed a two –year contract extension with Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr.

NFF reveals World Cup program

To several applauses and commendation for good planning and focus, the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday in Lagos made public its 2018 FIFA World Cup program for the Super Eagles, revealing venues and dates for six pre-World Cup friendly matches, kit launch, camping programmes and venues, the team base camp, sponsors’ event and how the team will travel during the World Cup finals proper.

NFF reclaims sponsorship with Coca-Cola

The Nigeria Football Federation and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited on Wednesday in Lagos consummated a partnership agreement that made the beverage behemoth ‘Official Soft Drink and Co-Sponsor of Nigeria National Teams’.

Pinnick: 2017 was great, but 2018 will be more glorious

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has expressed the satisfaction of the Federation with on-field and off-field results for Nigerian Football in the outgoing year, while expressing conviction that the year 2018 will bring forth more honours and even greater global recognition for the Nigerian game.

Akinwunmi charity ball rolls again with excitement

There is a high level of excitement and infectious ecstasy as the fourth edition of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini-Tournament comes to a climax at the Lagos Campos Mini-Stadium on Friday.

Pinnick: Why we offered Rohr fresh two –year contract

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has explained that the resolve of the Federation’s leadership to ensure there are no distractions of any size or complexion around Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup preparation and participation informed the offer of a fresh, two –year contract to Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr. 

Opinion: Amaju Pinnick's tactics to set new record at Glass House

When Amaju Melvin Pinnick stepped out to vie for CAF Executive committee member, it was alleged that a board member in the NFF worked against his interest.