The Nigerian senior national team dropped down three spots to number 35, and an ex-international believed the German gaffer should shoulder the blame for the fall in rankings
Former Nigeria international Jonathan Akpoborie says it is Gernot Rohr’s fault that the Super Eagles crashed from the 32nd-best team in the world to number 35.
The latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday shows that Nigeria remain Africa’s fourth-best team but slip three places down from October’s standing.
The trio of Turkey, Slovakia, and overtook Nigeria during the 30 days under review.
The Super Eagles’ ranking was not helped by the team’s two disastrous draws against Sierra Leone on matchdays three and four of the Afcon 2021 qualifying series.
Gernot Rohr’s men surrendered a four-goal advantage to draw 4-4 in Benin City on November 13, only to manage another stale draw in Freetown four days later.
Those draws left the Super Eagles without a win in 2020, and former Stuttgart forward Akpoborie insists Rohr should be held responsible for the team’s downturn in fortunes.
“I am not too surprised that the Super Eagles dropped down in the latest FIFA rankings going by their poor dismal performance against Sierra Leone in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier,” Akpoborie told the Pledge.
“The first leg at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium really exposed the tactical know-how of the manager after the team squandered a four-goal lead to draw 4-4.
“How best can you explain his technical knowledge of the game? I really want to blame him for the team’s latest ranking.”
Despite numerous calls for his sack, Rohr continues to enjoy the seemingly unconditional support of the Nigeria Football Federation, which handed the German tactician a two-year contract extension earlier this year.