With calls for coach Gernot Rohr to be sacked following Nigeria's performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has provided an update on the German tactician's future.
The Super Eagles were eliminated in the semi-finals of the continental competition on Sunday night, after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Algeria, courtesy of Riyad Mahrez''s stunning last-minute free-kick.
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After being denied the opportunity to 'be crowned Afcon champions a fourth time, there were calls for Rohr to be relieved of his duties, but NFF president Amaju Pinnick has now categorically stated that the 66-year-old "will not be sacked"."Gernot Rohr will not be sacked as Super Eagles coach. He will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him," Pinnick said, as per All Nigeria Soccer.
"Gernot has taken us to the semi-final, the target we set for him.
"Right now, we have a third-place match to play for and we intend to have our team leave Egypt with honours
"There are some people that have been calling on me and the federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that."
Pinnick also lifted the lid on the former Burkina Faso boss' post-Afcon plans.
"In fact, Gernot is going on a refresher training period with Bayern Munich after Afcon 2019. We have a long-term plan with him," he added.
"We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people.
"He is a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon."
Nigeria will be hoping to end their campaign off with a victory in their third-place play-off against Tunisia at the Cairo International stadium tonight, with kick-off set for 21:00.