John Utaka Backs Gernot Rohr To Lead Super Eagles To AFCON Success

The former Bordeaux manager has done remarkably well with the senior national team and deserves to be rewarded with a new contract, says the former Nigeria international.

Former Portsmouth forward John Utaka has applauded Gernot Rohr for putting together a fantastic Super Eagles team brimming with ‘talent and quality’.

Surprised that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, are yet to extend the Rohr’s contract, Utaka urged the football body to allow the Franco-German gaffer to continue his work as he has shown that he can lead the team to greater heights.

Since his appointment in 2016, Rohr has guided the Super Eagles to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and led the team to a third-place finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The former Gabon coach has rebuilt the Super Eagles into an excellent blend of youth and experience with talented youngsters like Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi ably guided by veterans such as Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong.

Utaka, 37, believes that trophies will follow for the Super Eagles should Rohr keeps working along this line.

“The present Super Eagles are on a good run, which can only lead to tremendous achievement in the nearest future. This team is full of talents and quality, ” said the ex-Lens star as quoted by The Daily Trust. 

“I believe Rohr is doing an immense job with the team, and very soon, Nigeria will start reaping the reward of continuity.

“I wonder why the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have not offered him a new contract to complete what he started.

“The experiences of the last AFCON and World Cup will propel the team to bigger things in the future.

“I have this strong belief that the present Super Eagles players can win a fourth AFCON title for Nigeria next year in Cameroon if the technical crew led by Gernot Rohr is retained,’’ Utaka said.