International Football
IDAH PETERSIDE BLASTS ROHR FROM THE PULPIT
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Former Nigeria international goalkeeper Idah Peterside who is also a former media officer of the Super Eagles has blasted Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr for a poor outing at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
In a two minute 52 second video clip Idah Peterside personally sent via WhatsApp to www.sportsvillagesquare.com, the former international goalkeeper who runs a church in South Africa blasted the coach for lack of ambition.
He began: “We have a coach in Nigeria whose team was going to the World Cup and preparing for the World Cup. The team spent billions on the World Cup. And they asked the coach; what are your dreams?”
Mimicking the coach in low tone to illustrate lack of expectation, Idah said: “he said I am going with the youngest team…I am hoping my team will grow with age…I am hoping that after a while, they will mature…”
Pastor Idah in combustive mood then asked: “Why are you going there? Who took you there, Mr. Coach? You go to the World Cup to win it! You (should) stand there and show that your country is number one! That is why you are put there!”
He remarked that the coach should not give excuses that he went with young players as that was his choice.
“For a man that does not have a dream in his heart …he does not believe in his heart that it is possible …If thou can believe that all things are possible …”
He asked the coach to shut up and face reality. Idah then gave the example of Gareth South Gate, the England coach. “He was wearing a suit… on top of it is written: ‘it’s coming home’. It is a suit that will disgrace him if he loses and which is also a shame.
“Of these two (Rohr and Southgate) who is more likely to succeed? Things are tough, but they (England) are pushing through. They don’t have a great team but they are pushing through. Because they wanted to win (the World Cup), they planned to lose to Belgium (the last Group G match) to avoid Brazil so that the road can be smother to the final.
Is that not a man (Southgate) that has a plan?” Peterside last played for Nigeria in the April 21, 2001 World Cup qualifying duel with Sierra Leone in Freetown.