By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja
A former Super Eagles utility player and former Roda JC Kekrade of Holland midfielder, Garba ‘Chindo’ Lawal, has said the power to extend Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr’s contract or not, rest solely with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) whatever anybody says.
There has been a no love lost relationship between the NFF and the Franco-German coach about renewal of his contract. Rohr was employed as Eagles’ coach in 2016 by NFF following the controversial departure of former coach and national team captain, Sunday Oliseh.
“It is only the NFF that can resolve the issue of Rohr’s contract because they employed him initially. Our opinion cannot change anything. It is the NFF that gives him contract. Rohr is a coach and I am a coach too and I cannot criticise him. He has the right to say yes or no to contract extension with the term he is given to sign by the NFF,” Lawal said in a telephone interview with Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN).
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics football gold medalist further stated: “Maybe they (NFF) are weighing up the money aspects of the contract and you cannot pay a coach what you don’t have. The coronavirus pandemic ravaging the whole world has not also helped because everywhere is now at standstill and it is very disturbing but I know we are going to surmount it. For Rohr, it is about the money on ground, is he ready to accept the terms of contract the NFF is coming with.”
Lawal, who declined to rate Rohr’s performance, however stated that every coach has his rating adding that coaches are rated by their performances and tactical ability to read games.
“We have had coaches who have won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for us and qualified us for the World Cup. We have had a coach who won the Atlanta ’96 Olympic football gold for us. Maybe Nigerians are not satisfied with his (Rohr) performance and want more from him.”
When asked if the engagement of a new coach will not affect the youthfulness and the cohesion in the senior national football, the former Kaduna United General Manager said every coach has his philosophy and it is left to such a coach to come out with tactics and formation for his team.