Liberia-Nigeria: Another bush-league showing that exposes Rohr incompetencies, alarming impending disasters ahead of major tournaments

After their 2-0 over Liberia on Saturday, courtesy of penalties in either half converted by both Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Muss, the unexciting Super Eagles of Nigeria now need at least a draw in their game against Cape Verde to book their spot in the final round of the African World Cup qualifiers.

Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr (Gettyimages)

It was once again another poor display by the Gernot Rohr led side as the fear amongst Nigerians continue to grow as to whether this team can go past the final rounds of the World Cup qualifiers if they did make it out of the group.

Moreso, should Nigeria qualify for the World Cup proper, will it not be a repetition of what happened just over three years ago in Russia ? The Super Eagles were so sloppy and let their opponents, ranked 150 by FIFA, dictate much of the play.

Nigeria Cape Verde on Tuesday in Nigeria and avoiding a defeat will mean they are through to the final rounds of the qualifiers. But to what end for a country blessed with talents enough to rule Africa and break bounds on the bigger stage (World Cup) struggling in a group of minors ?

Nigeria have lost just one in five qualifying games, winning the other four, but not even one of the wins was convincing. The defeat to Central African Republic was the first time they have lost a World Cup qualifying game at home, in 40 years.

The manager continuously blame poor performance on the fact that some players were missing in the games due to injuries. That however should not be an excuse for any tactician, moreso of a Nigeria side with more than enough backups, both internationally and the home based.

His incompetencies have no where to hide during the World Cup qualifiers and if this is not begging to be amended, it is high time the question of how ambitious are the men in charge of the decisions making for the Super Eagles.

Manager, Gernot Rohr appeared the manager lucky enough to lead a star studded group since Clement Westerhof and Bonfrere Jo between 1989 and 2001, when the country won her second Nations Cup and the Olympics in 1994 and 1996 respectively.

The also managed to reach the round of 16 at the 1994 and 1998 World Cup finals, which has been the countries best finish in the tournament. Late coach, Stephen Keshi was able lead the team to the same stage in 2015, before they were eliminated by France.

Nigeria’s Austin Okocha tries to rob Diego Maradona off the ball at the 1994 World Cup in Boston. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images)

Since his appointment in 2016, talented players have come through the ranks for Nigeria. More like a team in transition, with new crop of players surfacing.

The country now parade the likes of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Maduka Okoye, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and other fantastic and fascinating footballers, who are much of upgrades on the recently past generations.

Even with so many fringe players in the group between 2011 and 2014 under Stephen Keshi, they played some scintillating football on their way to winning the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and equaling the country's best run at the World Cup.

However, under Gernot Rohr, it looks as though the team is getting worse game after games. They did reach the semi final of the 2019 Nations Cup and lost out to eventual winners, Algeria. However, the semi final performance was nothing to write about even if the score-line said something else, the team struggled to make a stand in the game.

They were shambles at the World Cup in 2018 but making it to the next year edition in Qatar could be unrealistic if the team continues to put in performances like they have been doing recently.

After losing 1-0 to Central African Republic on matchday three, they faced a must-win game in the return leg played in Bangui but even if that was a 2-0 success, there were question marks over their ability to win games.

Central African Republic coah Raoul Savoy was not impressed and expressed his displeasure in his post match press conference, saying Nigeria had won the game with the help of the referee.

He said; “Nigeria played with 12 men because the referee helped them to win. The first goal was from an offside position and my goalkeeper was fouled for the second goal.

“We did not concede against Nigeria over the two legs, they scored with the help of the referee.”

If Nigeria struggle to win again a team ranked 115 by FIFA, how would they fare in the final rounds of the qualifiers, when they come up against heavyweights in the continent ?

There have been question marks over Gernot Rohr’s capability to take the group forward but he has not been able to get the best of a group with so much talents.

His decision to bring back Odion Ighalo to the group was not well received by the fans. A 32 year old player who currently plays in Saudi Arabia is no where near the current young players, who are there amongst the best strikers in Europe currently.

Cape Verde are the direct rival for the Eagles in the group and have earned 10 points from five games, which included a defeat to Nigeria. However, they could still cause a great upset on Tuesday with a win.

Nigeria have struggled in two legged games against two teams ranked as low as 115 and 150 and now they come up against a side that ranked much better in the group. Cape Verde are ranked 76 and have managed to stamp their dominance on the minors, avoiding a defeat in all four games to put themselves in a position to topple the group.

Both sides knowing how significant the game is, it promises to be an interesting one whilst hearts will be broken at full time. However, if the delights did go to Nigeria, the question remains, will they be able to stand their ground in a double-header against better oppositions for a place in Qatar next year ?

Maybe. Just maybe.

Before the World Cup is the African Cup of Nations coming up in Cameron next year January. With recent evidence, it could be concluded that Nigeria, under the guidance of Gernot Rohr are set for another unadventurous outing.

What is obvious is that Nigerians deserve better, with the current crop of stars. This might just be another golden generation and if let to waste without outstanding achievements, not anyone in the Sports section should be forgive for the failure.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan