Rohr Under Fire: Okpala Questions What Super Eagles Coach Will Learn at Bayern Munich

Criticism of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has intensified following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, with several former internationals questioning his tactical ability and the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to retain him.

Although Nigeria finished the tournament with a bronze medal, some former players and coaches argued that the team could have achieved more considering the quality of players available.

The Super Eagles’ 2-0 defeat to Madagascar in the group stage and their semi-final loss to Algeria were among the results highlighted by Rohr’s critics.

Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami was among those who called for the coach’s dismissal after the Madagascar defeat.

Former Nigeria Football Association technical director Kashimawo Laloko also criticised Rohr’s tactical approach, arguing that the players deserved more credit for Nigeria’s progress to the semi-finals.

“The boys have tried their best, but they have a coach that does not understand football,” Laloko said, questioning some of Rohr’s substitutions during the tournament.

Former Super Eagles winger Felix Owolabi also blamed tactical shortcomings for Nigeria’s semi-final defeat to Algeria.

According to Owolabi, the team relied too heavily on individual brilliance and lacked sufficient organisation, cohesion and a clear tactical plan.

Former Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala took a more balanced position, saying Rohr could not be described as a bad coach but insisting that Nigeria had enough quality to achieve more than third place.

“The team could have performed better. They have more quality players than we had in 2013. I expected the present squad to have achieved bigger things in Egypt,” Okpala said.

Former international Mutiu Adepoju, however, defended Rohr, pointing out that the German guided Nigeria to the semi-finals and achieved the target set for him by the NFF.

Controversy increased after NFF President Amaju Pinnick announced that Rohr would remain in charge and would attend a refresher programme at Bayern Munich.

Pinnick said the federation had confidence in the coach and viewed him as part of its long-term plans.

“Gernot Rohr will not be sacked as Super Eagles coach. He will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him,” Pinnick said.

He added that Rohr had met the federation’s target of reaching the AFCON semi-finals and that the NFF would work with him to improve areas of weakness.

The proposal to send Rohr on a refresher course, however, attracted criticism from former football administrators and players.

Former Nigeria Football Association chairman Kojo Williams questioned why an experienced foreign coach employed for his expertise should require additional training funded by the federation.

Okpala also questioned what Rohr was expected to learn during such a programme.

“Refresher course for Rohr? To go and learn what and from where? Is it to know how to read games or how to substitute a player as a game changer?” he asked.

Okpala argued that some aspects of coaching, including reading matches and making effective substitutions, are developed through experience rather than short training programmes.

Despite the criticism, he acknowledged that Rohr had achieved some notable results since taking charge of Nigeria in 2016.

Rohr qualified the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and guided the team to third place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, critics have continued to question his team selection, tactical flexibility and limited use of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League.

For the NFF, the debate now centres on whether Rohr should be given more time to develop the team or whether Nigeria needs a different coach capable of taking the Super Eagles beyond qualification for major tournaments and into serious contention for titles.