Give Rohr chance, says former U-17 coach, Brodericks Imasuen

NOTWITHSTANDING the last Saturday’s loss to Croatia in their opening match at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, ex-Nigerian U-17 Coach, Mr. Brodrick Imasuen has expressed satisfaction at the performance of Coach Gernot Rohr.

Imasuen who spoke in Benin during the weekend pleaded that the German should be given more time to coach but if he performs below expectation, he should not be murdered but given more time that has been given to others because he is doing well.

The award-winning coach said that the government should learn to honour people while they are still alive instead of showering encomiums on them long after are dead.

He insisted: “The Nigerian coach cannot do more than his strength. I think he is doing well like some of the boys have said in the papers that the team is like a family now.

“So, that is why I said he is doing well with these young boys but he has some time to coach.

Worried by the abject poverty which most Nigerian sportsmen live after retirement, Imasuen called on the Federal Government to honour its citizens while still alive rather than dwelling on posthumous awards.

ALSO READ: Attention, Super Eagles

“Now you are here young men who do not even know me and you are interviewing me. You want to know a few things about me and it is here I revealed to you that I will be 80 years next month. Should not they have known right there that the man who has performed so much, they said the labours of our heroes will not go in vain?

The former coach who is to turn 80 years in July also said the Nigerian Super Eagles can only do their best noting that if they failed to live up to the expectation of Nigerians, they should be given more time to improve on themselves as they are still very young.

On the current form of the Super Eagles players, he said that from their performance so far, he does not think that they will win the World Cup.

He said: “In another four years we will be talking of about getting there but if you ask me for this World Cup the countries that I think will get to the final, unfortunately, Nigeria will not be among them.

“I am saying the truth I want us to do well and improve to get to a good place for coming years but not now.”