Contract Renewal: Rohr Spits Fire, Says He Won’t Beg NFF To Renew His Contract

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than two weeks to the double header between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Sierra Leone National team at the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Asaba, and the return leg four days later in Freetown Stadium, Sierra Leone, for the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is yet to perfect the dotted lines for the renewal of contract for Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr.

Rohr has just three months left on his contract, but the NFF has not been forthcoming, neither has it called him for a meeting to discuss the renewal of his Contract.

Though, late last year, Rohr had complained that the conditions given to him by the NFF was too stringent, saying they are putting certain things in place to renew his contract.

In a chat with Osasu Obayiuwana, Rohr said he has three months left on his current deal with the NFF which he penned two years ago when he qualified the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

And despite talks of a possible renewal, the Federation is yet to approach the 67-year-old Franco-German.

“I will not ask the NFF what is going on with my contract renewal (with just about three months left on his present deal). It’s for the NFF to approach me. I am still waiting.

“My job is to focus on the Super Eagles, as long as I am the coach of this team. And I am going to do just that. Right now, my concern is that our players in Europe stay physically fit, even when they are not playing, because of the coronavirus situation.”

So far, in Rohr’s four-year spell, the Eagles have played 40 matches recorded 23 wins, nine defeats and eight draws since his first game at the helm of the team against Tanzania on September 3, 2016.

It would be recalled that the Amaju Pinnick led NFF lamented that paucity of funds have been their major issues In payment of salaries for the  coaching crew, Players and organizing matches for the team.

Though Rohr still has an existing contract with the NFF,  he will be at the tunnel for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

The Super Eagles top the Log, standing with maximum Six points, having recorded a 2-1 against Benin Republic at the Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and a 4-2 triumph over the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Maseru.

A victory in the double header will secure qualification for the continental showpiece.