International Football
FULL TEXT OF GERNOT ROHR’S INTERVIEW WITH L’EQUIPE: “AM ALREADY A SUCCESS STORY”, HE SAYS
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. ”
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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