Minister Demands Necessary Steps To Be Taken So As To Protect Our Football Fortunes

By Okechukwu Emmanuel

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare on Tuesday together with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) led by its President Amaju Pinnick held a meeting on the administrative structure of the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, as well as the NFF, have been heavily criticized since the two poor performances of the Super Eagles in the AFCON qualifiers against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, most especially the draw in Benin where the team surrendered a 4-0 lead only to draw 4-4.

Sunday Dare since then has threatened to change the entire Technical department of the team if performance doesn’t go well, so as to satisfy the aspirations of angry Nigerians on the National team.

This led to interaction on Tuesday between The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the NFF (Led by its President, Amaju Pinnick), where the Minister urged the NFF to charge Gernot Rohr to higher Standards.

While Speaking in the meeting, the NFF President assured the Minister that they (NFF) will not fail in their responsibilities of bringing Glory back to the team. The NFF also promised the Minister that the adjustment and changes being discussed will be put into action.

The NFF President said that there will be an inclusion of at least 3-4 home-based players from the NPFL in the team, as well as compelling Coach Gernot Rohr to watch NPFL matches so as to enable him (Gernot Rohr) scout for players and also evolve a scientific template to benchmark the performance of the technical adviser and the National team, as well as many other changes which they will inject on the team.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development urged the NFF to charge Gernot Rohr to higher Standards according to what is being laid down in his contract. He said that the poor performance in both games against the Leone stars has brought some concerns, which need to be addressed with great effect.

He said, “The Government while concerned about the dismal performance and non-discernable pattern of play and team harmony in the Super Eagles, is looking beyond the outcome of Nigeria versus Sierra Leone matches and AFCON, We are looking at the present and future administration of football that speaks to the development of the front room and backroom”.

While still speaking, he said “The NFF must tightly hold the technical adviser to the KPIs in his contract. Thus, we cannot wait for those conditions to come to life before we tighten the screws or demand for better performance, better technical depth, better player mix, team management, and a functional National team, else Nigeria and football lovers in Nigeria will be the greatest losers. In this area, NFF must take the necessary steps and actions beyond Rohr to protect our football fortunes”.

The Sports Minister concluded by promising that the Ministry of Sports will support and Work with the Nigerian football Football Federation so as to achieve greater heights with the National team. He also demanded effective and active changes on behalf of all angry Nigerian football lovers.