Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has expressed concern over the ongoing financial disputes plaguing Nigeria’s national team hours before their crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon.
Speaking with Brila.net, Rohr described the situation as “a pity,” emphasizing that such issues are unfortunately not new to Nigerian football.
Rohr, who led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFCON, drew parallels to a similar crisis during that tournament in Egypt.
“We had the same problem in 2019 in Egypt when, two days before the first game of the AFCON, we also had players, including Obi Mikel, who said, ‘We are not paid; we won’t come to training, coach,’” Rohr recalled.
He described waiting with his staff for players who boycotted training until guarantees on bonuses were provided later that evening, allowing the session to proceed.
“It’s a pity that one day before the playoffs against Gabon, in Nigeria, there are these kinds of
problems with the Super Eagles. But you know, it’s not the first time,” Rohr stated.
“So I was waiting — we were waiting with the staff for the players. They didn’t come because they wanted a guarantee that the bonuses would be paid. The guarantees came later in the evening, and the players then came to training.”
Super Eagles Team to Beat
Despite the off-field distractions, Rohr remains optimistic about the Super Eagles’ prospects.
He backed the team to overcome Gabon and advance to the playoff final on Sunday, securing a continental ticket for the World Cup qualifiers.
“I hope it will be the same before the game against Gabon — that everything will be clear
and the players can fight for their country, for their colours,” he said.
Battle of Two Prolific Scorers
Gernot Rohr highlighted the matchup’s intrigue, pitting two prolific strikers against each other.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whom Rohr coached during his time with the Gabonese national team, and Victor Osimhen, currently in top form.
“It will also be a very nice comparison between the two goal scorers,” Rohr noted.
Rohr Sends Message to NFF
“They have to do their job in the NFF as well,” he stressed. “I hope that football will come first, not the money, and that the players will be paid.”
He expressed hope that the issues would be resolved swiftly, allowing the team to focus on the pitch in what he described as a “difficult game against Gabon.”
Looking ahead, Rohr mentioned that he would be monitoring the Super Eagles’ while preparing Benin Republic for a friendly against Burkina Faso the following weekend.
