Gernot Rohr: Ex Super Eagles Boss Explains Why Team Is Struggling After AFCON

Gernot Rohr: Ex Super Eagles Boss Explains Why Team Is Struggling After AFCON

  • The Super Eagles of Nigeria reached the 2023 African Cup of Nations final held in Ivory Coast
  • Jose Peseiro led the team to a losing attempt in the final and left his role after his contract expired
  • The team has yet to pick up a competitive victory since the end of the tournament in February

The Super Eagles have yet to win a competitive match since the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations when they lost to the host country, Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro left his role as the team's manager after the tournament following the expiration of his contract, which both parties decided against renewing.

Gernot Rohr coaching Benin against Nigeria.
Gernot Rohr coached Benin Republic to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in June. Photo by Issouf Sanogo.
Source: Getty Images

It counts for less if you are obsessed with the style of play at AFCON, but Nigeria were one of the best teams at the tournament, only losing the final due to fatigue in the final stages.

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Finidi George has overseen the team for the four games since the end of AFCON in the March and June international windows, two as interim and two as permanent boss.

According to Complete Sports, he offered bright hopes to Nigerians when the team beat Ghana 2-1, their first over their neighbours in 18 years, but losses to Mali and Benin Republic on either side of a draw against South Africa turned it upside down.

Rohr explains why Super Eagles are struggling

Former boss Gernot Rohr, who coached Benin to beat Nigeria, has explained why he thinks the team are struggling since reaching the AFCON final.

“You see like the team is struggling at the moment, but you can't say they don't have quality players. They have players who can decide the game in their favour, and it makes them a hard team to beat, and it is why they are the favourites to make it out of the group,” he told OwnGoalNigeria.

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He added that the team is trying to introduce new players, and the changes haven't gone as expected. Thus, the team has to rely on most of its players, which makes it difficult to create a new identity.

He also admitted that Benin's win over Nigeria could have been difficult or not come if the team had Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and William Troost-Ekong.

Maduka Okoye grateful to Gernot Rohr

Legit.ng reported that Maduka Okoye appreciates Gernot Rohr for helping him fulfil his dream of playing for the Super Eagles and becoming a first-team regular.

Rohr handed Okoye his debut in 2019 after about two years of watching him. The Udinese goalkeeper was born in Germany but opted to represent his father's country.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com