AFCON 2025
Photo Credit : shutterstock.com
By Chima Azu
The Super Eagles lost to Central African Republic on home turf at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere Lagos by a goal to nil in a World cup qualifier on Thursday. This was Nigeria’s first loss in a World Cup qualifier since 1981 and it was in an embarrassing fashion to a team ranked 124 in the world which has only won just one match in their last ten games before playing the Eagles.
Ever since Rohr took over in 2016, he has shown times without number that his not good enough for the Super Eagles especially looking at the quality players at his disposal scattered all over Europe and even in the NPFL compared to other African teams. Although he won bronze and qualified Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup with a game to spare, till date one cannot say this is the exact formation that he plays. The team’s loss to CAR and other embarrassing and unconvincing results like the 4-4 draw to Sierra Leone after being four goals up has shown how tactless and that he doesn’t know how to tweak formation to win matches. It is difficult to recall a game where the Super Eagles played with a clear game plan, wowed the fans or dictate the tempo of a game from start to finish by keeping possession. The current Eagles lack cohesion in all departments, lacks creativity, teamwork and a playing style all thanks to the German.
Having players like Victor Osimhen who hit double figures last season with few games and is currently among the top scorers in the Seria A and September’s player of the month, Paul Onuachu last season top scorer in Belgian league with 29 goals who currently has 9 this season, Simy Nwankwo one of the top scorers in Seria A with 20 goals last season, Samuel Chukwueze, Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi arguably the best defensive midfielder in the EPL right now, Iheanacho, Troost Ekong, Iwobi just to mention a few who are all key players for their teams and still Rohr is struggling to assemble a formidable team that can win games with arguably the best attack in the Africa. Knowing how the country is spoilt with talents it is baffling that Rohr cannot still find a playmaker.
With the Nations Cup coming up in January and the World Cup qualifiers heading to a much tougher phase, it will be better that the Amaju Pinnick led NFF relieves Rohr of his duties and get a better coach now that the results are redeemable and also before any competition proper because it is glaring to the blind that Rohr cannot win major trophies or get desired results for the Eagles that are not looking super anymore.
