Hot Seat: Is Gernot Rohr Under Pressure to Win Against Cameroon ...What If Super Eagles Get Beaten Again?
What if Nigeria loose Against Cameroon in the upcoming World cup qualifiers? Will NFF still understand that the German tactician, Gernot Rohr, is in the prossess of building a new Super Eagles team and needs more time? Will Nigerian fans endure another embarrassment like the one they saw in Akwa Ibom against Bafana-Bafana of South Africa... Or will his coaching ability come to a full scrutiny (a real look into his Resume/CV again); or will NFF look for a quick fix like calling in Resueman, Samson Siasia? What'll happen?
You must have seen the strain faces of Amaju Pinnick and his NFF Techincal Committee at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo...as Bafana Bafana of South Africa totally outclassed the much hyped new look Super Eagles team and for the first time defeated Nigeria at their home soil 0 - 2...making non-sense of the France training camp and the friendly matches against Corsica and Togo.
It was an embrassment only comparable to how Germany messed up almighty Brazil at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. Of course, South Africa would have scored more than five goals against Nigeria, if they were that ruthlesd like Germany. But Rohr or NFF must save Nigerians from such embrassment again.
Indeed, this could also raise questions about the ability of Pinnick and NFF technical committee in selecting the right coach for the national team. After the impolite saga of Sunday Oliseh; Nigerians are sincerely hoping Rohr will not be another heartache. Now, Rohr must go the extra mile to restore that confidence.
The challenge is, Cameroon may be a stronger opponent than South Africa...having won African nations cup in February and recently played competitive games in Confederations Cup tournament in Russia, they may be better prepared in terms of blending...and play more like a team with well rehearsed style and game plan. Something Super Eagles of Nigeria is lacking judging from their lackluster display against South Africa.
This is why Rohr may not only be under pressure, but combusting now. Many Nigerian analysts are of the opinion that Rohr should go back to the drawing board and find how to blend the experienced players like John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Brown Ideye with these younger enterprising players. Sometimes, experience play a big role when playing difficult opponents.
Another school of thought feels Rohr should learn the Nigeran football culture and find a way to blend it with his german experience. Nigeria has a unique way they play their football, a style somehow engimatic for the world to understand, which has given Super Eagles the reputation of giant killers. Only indigenous coaches like Samson Siasia can deliver that. But Clemence Westerhof and
Jo Bonfrere had to learn the Nigerian style of play..and used it for their success.
Whatever may be the route Rohr decides to follow, he should quickly get down to work and proof himself to Nigerians and his employers - NFF.
