The newly engaged Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernod Rohr, is expected to begin work this week with a visit to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All Star team currently on a playing tour of the Spanish LaLiga.
Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Green, informed npfl.ng that Rohr is expected to join the All-Star team in Spain on Friday, August 12 when they play Malaga FC in the opening of the Carranza World Club Tournament.
“As you know, part of our understanding with the new coach is that he will be on ground to work and follow up on our players in the domestic league. During negotiations with him, we agreed that since we have a crop of the NPFL players embarking on the LaLiga tour, it will be necessary for him to look in on them during the friendlies.
“So, we are expecting him, after playing Valencia on Wednesday (yesterday) to join us on Friday, when we proceed to play Malaga in the Carranza Cup competition,” Green said. Throwing more light on the plan, Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) and 2nd Vice President of the NFF, Shehu Dikko, pointed out that it makes a lot of sense for the Super Eagles coach to join in on the LaLiga tour.
“The head coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, whom he will work with is here. Other coaches who have been involved in the Super a Eagles are here. The back room staff of the Super Eagles whom he will work with are here. Then, the crop of the NPFL players who may form the core of our home-based team is here, so this tour presents the coach a hands-on platform to begin to interact and plan with his team, to hit the ground running.
“It makes great sense for him to be here. Interestingly, he lives in Bordeaux, France which is just few hours from Spain,” Dikko said.
“For the players, the presence of the new coach will serve as a motivation. It is remarkable that the Super Eagles coach is resuming work with them even before meeting with the foreign based professionals. That shows that they are important and that the coach is giving a level playing ground for all players who aspire to get into the Super Eagles.”
Meanwhile, gate takings from last night’s friendly between Valencia and NPFL All Stars will be donated to the victims of a major forest fire that ravaged the little town of Alzira.
The fires destroyed over 3000 hectares of the Valencia province which also includes Alzira. “We have been made to understand that the Alzira Stadium was chosen for our match against Valencia to assist the victims of the forest fire that affected the town of Alzira in June,” disclosed NPFL All-Star Team Manager, Ameobi Ezeaku.
“The ticket sales from this match will be donated to the victims of the fire.” The Enugu Rangers team manager said the trip to Spain has been an eye-opening experience. “The experience has been wonderful for both the players and officials.
credit: thisdaylive