While Nigeria missed out in the qualification of two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2017, Gernot Rohr restored the country’s pride by leading the Super Eagles to the 2018 World Cup. He tells, L’Equipe of his happiness and his ambitions.

   A few days after qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup, Gernot Rohr has still not fallen from his cloud. From Bordeaux, where he is resting before approaching the next assignment, the Super Eagles coach explains how he has been able to achieve results in Nigeria after difficult years.

 Gernot Rohr (64) told L’Equipe that he will see his contract through to July 31, 2018. He added that “the president has already announced to me that it will be extended for two years, before the World cup”. Sports Village Square attempts to translate the interview conducted in French into passable English.

 

•  How do you feel about qualifying for the World Cup soon, even with the qualifying series still on?

“It gives me a lot of joy and satisfaction of course. It’s a new challenge, a new adventure that’s coming. Participating in the most important tournament in the world, with the best teams, is something every player and coach dreams about.

“To live that is already an end, even if it does not mean that we will reach the end. It’s a dedication for me who has been leading national teams for many years. I had already done some interesting things, African Cups for example, but there, really, it’s a plus.

• How did you manage this time to cross qualifications with Nigeria?

“It’s thanks to the quality of the players. There are some exceptional players. We found the right cocktail, the good mix between youth and experience.

”The team evolved about 15 months ago.  We decided to integrate a lot of young people. Players like Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City) and others who are already in big clubs. With these new and some old, we built a team that is solid, which was very effective during the playoffs.

• Are you surprised to be first out as easily (no defeat in five games) from a very high profile group with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia?

“We had programmed things, even if they were mainly wishes. We knew that it would be difficult, with Algeria, which was then the best African team when the World Cup qualifying series began. Cameroon, which won the last Africa Cup of Nations and Zambia, which against all odds, proved to be the most competitive opponent. Very tough.

“Fortunately, we started well, not to have to go to Algeria in the last match, with the obligation to make a result.

• The players seem to have adhered to your instructions and your methods…

“Yes I think. Our course attests. The team has evolved well, despite some adjustments, injuries, including the goalkeeping position, since it is the fourth (Ikechukwu Ezenwa) who became titular.

“It was quite exceptional. We worked a lot with local players. It was not a long calm river. It had to be vigilant, find solutions to difficult situations and last minute packages.

• Under what conditions do you work in Abuja? How do the media in particular behave with you?

“I’m the breeder! I have full powers. As I won right away, my hands were free. But the media pressure is immense there, the press is omnipresent. At first, I was careful not to fall in the cracks of the media. After, I had no problem.

• What are the ambitions of the Super Eagles in Russia?

“They have qualified from the group stage in the past and getting to the round of 16, especially in 2014 when they faced the French team (0-2 defeat.

“We will try to do as well. Unfortunately, here, the ambitions are a little more excessive: the team must get to at least the semi finals.

“We have the ambition of the leaders to manage, even if I get along very well with the president (Amaju Pinnick), who came to get me. There are many people at the Federation (NFF). As in all African countries, it’s never easy. But for now, it’s going very well.

• …Because you seem to be perceived as the savior in Nigeria.

“I arrived at a time when everyone was wondering how to get out of the shadows, after two consecutive non-participations in the Africa Cup of Nations. They were really at the bottom of the hole.

“We could only go back up. I do not know if I’m considered the saviour, but as a coach who had the chance to qualify for the World Cup and did what it took to get there. ”