Russia qualification: NFF rewards Rohr with 2-year contract extension

By Amaechi Agbo

Acting on the axiom that the reward for hard work is more work, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has extended the contract of Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr for two years.
Rohr’s initial contract which was to end by 2018 has been extended till 2020.
The two year contract of the German tactician was extended by default following Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup 2018 in Russia.
Rohr signed a two year deal with the option of another two years if Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup in Russia, a feat they achieved over the weekend after their 1-0 win over Zambia.
During the official unveiling of Mr Rohr as the Eagles handler in August last year, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick that the agreement was for two years, with the with the sole mandate of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. “We are happy that this has been sealed and we can now focus on other arrangements for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting in October,” said Pinnick then.
Ostensibly elated, Mr Rohr, told had Nigerians: “I am enthusiastic to get to work. This is a big challenge because Nigeria has big players everywhere and has the ability to do well internationally. I have a German heart – the heart of a winner. I have confidence that with the right atmosphere and the right support, the Super Eagles have the capacity not only to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, but get to the latter stages of the competition.”
However, but for the qualification to Russia, Mr Rohr would have been axed if Nigeria had failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia judging by the terms of the deal he signed with the NFF last year.
The Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, recently emphasized the German tactician’s mandate stressing that he would be sacked if he failed to qualify the team to Russia 2018 World Cup.
“The mandate given Rohr by his employers is; Get the Super Eagles to the 2018 World Cup in Russia or your contract won’t be extended,” he then wrote on his Twitter
Since taking over as coach of the Super Eagles, the team has been beaten just once, which was the 0-2 loss to South Africa in Uyo, in the AFCON 2019 Qualifiers, baring that game, he has a coaching record of five wins and one draw from six games.
NFF is expected to make the new contract public soon. Rohr’s current deal would elapse immediately after Nigeria’s participation at the World Cup next year.