Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr turned 65 on Thursday, two days after his Super Eagles team suffered a gut-punch style elimination from the World Cup at the hands of perennial nemeses Argentina. What a perfect birthday present it would have been for the German if his team had managed to keep the Argentines at bay for a few minutes longer to seal a place in the World Cup round of 16.
Instead, they were left ruing missed opportunities and packing their bags to head home, and Rohr was left to reflect on a somber day, as most of his players dispersed to various parts of Europe, while a few waited to board their flight home to Nigeria. As if those rueful ruminations were not bad enough, there have been calls in certain quarters In Nigeria for Rohr to be relieved of his duties.
Commentary in the media have dwelled on the German’s failure to make the tactical and personnel changes required in the last few minutes to batten the hatches and hold on for the point that would have seen the Super Eagles advance.
Comparisons have also been made with the last World Cup in Brazil, where the late Stephen Keshi, a home-grown coach, took Nigeria to the round of 16 with way less support and preparation than Rohr had with the current squad.