Gernot Rohr extends his contract with Nigeria until 2020

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Nov 29, 2017. 09:00

Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr has penned a new two-year deal until 2020.

The Nigerian Football Federation has decided to tie down the German manager after masterminding their qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup with one game to spare.

Rohr was appointed on an initial two-year contract in August 2016 until 2018, taking over a team in turmoil following Sunday Oliseh's reign.

Announcing the contract extension, NFF boss Amaju Pinnick said the federation was impressed by Rohr's work ethic.

"When we saw the draw for the World Cup, we knew we were condemned [by a tough group] and we determined that we must overcome it," Pinnick quoted by ESPN.

"The first thing we identified was that we needed a new coach so we reached out to Arsene Wenger, to Gerard Houllier, and one name kept coming to the fore: Rohr.

"Now we have no regrets about hiring him and he has proven himself not just by qualifying for the World Cup, but with the foundation he is laying for our team, which now has young players from the age of 19, [he is] doing well.

"That is why, as we launch this fan engagement platform, I am proud and happy to announce that we have extended Rohr's contract for another two years, and paid him his wages until December 2017."

Rohr's new deal means this is the first time that a Super Eagles coach has had his contract renewed before a World Cup as Pinnick launched the NFF's campaign to take 100 fans to Russia