Football
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Gernot Rohr confirmed as Nigeria's technical adviser

Nigeria have appointed Gernot Rohr as technical adviser, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed.

Rohr, 63, who has previously coached Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso, has signed a two-year contract and replaces Sunday Oliseh,who resigned in February. The German was appointed after the NFF's failed attempt to secure the services Paul Le Guen last month. 

"I am enthusiastic to get to work," Rohr said. "This is a big challenge because Nigeria has big players everywhere and has the ability to do well internationally.

"I have a German heart -- the heart of a winner. I have confidence that with the right atmosphere and the right support, the Super Eagles have the capacity not only to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, but get to the latter stages of the competition."

NFF president Amaju Pinnick added that, with the issue of a coach finally sorted, preparations for the qualifiers can begin.

"We are happy that this has been sealed and we can now focus on other arrangements for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting in October," he said.

Committee vice-chairman Ahmed Yusuf Fresh said at the weekend that Rohr was the ideal candidate. 

"The committee was impressed with Mr. Rohr's profile and current activities for the German Football Federation (DFB), so we invited him to Nigeria for exhaustive deliberations," Fresh said.

"He was very positive, showed great interest in the job and is ready and willing to live in Nigeria. He is also willing to work with indigenous Nigerian coaches and with the committee and believes the Super Eagles can qualify for the 2018 World Cup, which is very important to the NFF. He swayed the committee with his calmness, good knowledge of the African terrain, focus and maturity."

Rohr's first official game with the Super Eagles will be the 2017 African Nations Cup match against Tanzania in Port Harcourt in a few weeks, which will be followed by a 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Zambia on Oct. 3.

Colin Udoh contributed to this report

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