The Franco-German tactician recently signed a new contract that will see him in charge of the Super Eagles until December 2022
Gernot Rohr has been in charge of the Nigerian football national team since 2016, and his latest contract means he’s on course to become the country’s longest-serving manager.
The Super Eagles have had some exciting games under his watch, and he has led the team to two major tournaments with a game to spare.
To celebrate his new deal, Soccernet.ng picks out Super Eagles top ten goals since he arrived.
Kelechi Iheanacho (2018 World Cup Qualifier vs Zambia)
Although the win over Tanzania was his first game in charge, Rohr’s first major test came in his second match, which was Nigeria’s first game in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
The Super Eagles travelled to the game at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium under pressure as they had missed out on the last two major tournaments.
However, they settled in quickly as Alex Iwobi put Nigeria ahead in the 31st minute. But it was Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal that sealed the win for Rohr, and it was a thing of beauty.
The Leicester City man played a one-two with Brown Ideye, before rounding Kennedy Mweene in Zambia goal to finish cooly into the net.
Zambia pulled one back in 71st minute through Collins Mbesuma, but Nigeria held firm to start their qualifying campaign on a winning note.
John Obi Mikel (2018 World Cup Qualifier vs Algeria)
Following the win over Zambia in their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria then hosted Algeria in their second group game.
Victor Moses put the three-time African Champions ahead in the 25th minute after the Algerian defence failed to deal with his initial pass. Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, then scored Nigeria’s second three minutes before half-time.
The former Chelsea star fired home from close range following a brilliant ball through the Algerian defence from Oghenekaro Etebo.
Algeria pulled one back in the second-half courtesy of a superb long-range strike from Nabil Bentaleb. But Moses second of the night, deep into injury time, killed all hopes of a comeback.
Alex Iwobi (2018 World Cup Qualifier vs Zambia)
In terms of quality, this particular goal is average at best. But it was included due to its importance. The Super Eagles hosted the Chipolopolo, knowing a win will seal their sixth World Cup appearance.
Having picked up ten points from a possible 12 in a group that had Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, confidence was high in the return leg of the clash against the Southern Africans.
But despite the support of a buoyant home crowd, it was not until 17 minutes from time that the Super Eagles found a breakthrough.
Iwobi who opened Nigeria’s account in the qualifying campaign was also the man to score the goal that would take the team to the World Cup.
The former Arsenal star sent the whole nation into ecstasy when he fired home from close range from a Shehu Abdullahi low cross.
Kelechi Iheanacho (2017 Friendly vs Argentina)
After sealing qualification, Nigeria met World Cup nemesis, Argentina in an international friendly match in Russia.
Goals from Ever Banega and Sergio Aguero had put La Abisceleste in control before Kelechi Iheanacho’s well-taken free-kick a minute before half-time reduced the deficit for Nigeria.
https://youtu.be/CvWFxqNp0tA
The Super Eagles would then score three times in the second half to seal a stunning win. One of those three goals made this list.
Alex Iwobi (2017 Friendly vs Argentina)
Following the break, Nigeria pressed for an equalizer, and they got it six minutes into the half through Alex Iwobi.
https://youtu.be/CvWFxqNp0tA
The former Everton man received a ball on the edge of the box, then nutmegged Javier Mascherano in a way would have made Luis Suarez proud, before firing home a left curler.
Ahmed Musa Second (World Cup 2018 vs Iceland)
No player has scored more goals on the biggest stage than the former Kano Pillars star.
At the 2018 World Cup, Nigeria had lost their opening game against Croatia, so the pressure was on them in their second clash against Iceland.
After a goalless first half, Musa opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 49th, brilliantly controlling a Victor Moses cross in the box before firing into the roof of the net.
If the first goal was well-executed, then the second one was a piece of individual brilliance that was included in the top ten goals of the 2018 World Cup.
The Al-Nassr winger got on the end of a long ball from Kenneth Omeruo, and he beat his marker with pace before rounding the Iceland goalkeeper to finish into an empty net.
His two goals secured Nigeria the maximum points although they would eventually bow out in the group stages after a 2-1 loss to Argentina in their third game.
Paul Onuachu (2019 Friendly vs Egypt)
After sealing qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria hosted Egypt in an international friendly.
In what was not an exciting encounter, the game was settled in the first minute thanks to spectacular finish from Paul Onuachu.
The Club Brugge fired in a spectacular half volley from just outside the box to score the only goal of the match.
Odion Ighalo (AFCON 2019 vs Burundi)
The Super Eagles began their quest for a fourth continental title against minnows Burundi.
However, it was not until 13 minutes from the final minutes that Nigeria found the breakthrough courtesy of an Odion Ighalo finish.
The Manchester United striker was set up by a brilliant backheel pass from Ola Aina to lift the ball past Burundi goalkeeper.
Odion Ighalo second (AFCON 2019 vs Cameroon)
After qualifying from their group, the Super Eagles met nemesis, Cameroon in the round of 16.
Odion Ighalo put Nigeria ahead in the 19th, but two quickfire goals from Stéphane Bahoken and Clinton Njie gave Cameroon a first-half lead.
The Super Eagles came out firing after the break, and they drew level through a well-worked Ighalo goal. The 31-year-old fired in a left-foot volley inside the box following a chested pass from Ahmed Musa.
Minutes later, he turned provider as Alex Iwobi scored Nigeria’s third and the winner.
Joe Aribo (2019 Friendly vs Brazil)
The final selection in our list comes from Nigeria’s clash against Brazil in Singapore last year. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in a high profile international friendly.
Joe Aribo put the Super Eagles ahead in the 35th minute, beating a host of defenders with his quick feet before placing the ball past Ederson.
https://youtu.be/5y1VXDd7gug
But Casemiro’s header in the second half denied Nigeria a famous victory over the five-time world champions.
