There’s an English proverb, that a camel is a horse designed by
committee. It is a more complex synonym of the popular “too many cooks
spoil the broth.” And that is nothing new in Nigeria, where individuals
are appointed to management and directorship positions, and then steered
and micro-managed by a motley crew of interest groups.
In the end everyone melts into thin air when disastrous results burst
open. Exactly that is looming in the dark clouds hovering over the head
of NFF. One defeat, and the swords are unsheathed, the horses charging,
the mission unknown.
Many fans do not think Nigeria will be at the FIFA World Cup in Russia
next year, simply because it does not deserve to be there, based not on
the players, or the manager, but because of the NFF Technical Committee
that has now vowed to take over the coaching duties of Gernot Rohr and
his assistants.
It could all be wrong in assuming that it was not in his contract to submit a players’ selection list to the Technical Committee for what in Nigeria is called, “vetting.” But if it is, then Mr Rohr made a grave error in signing it. But if it was not, and is now affixed to the agreement on the basis of the loss against South Africa, then as a German, I would expect him to resist it, and maybe quit.
The most successful Nigerian coaches in post colonial history were the Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof [below] and the late, and lamented “Big Boss” Stephen Keshi. Their achievements were a result of resilience against all odds, and resistance to meddlesome technical committees, writers and pundits. Even Dan Anyiam who became the first indigenous coach of the national team when he first took over from John Finch , demanded total control in both his stints
Of course, in the late 1950s, Leslie Courtier moulded the idea of a national side in Nigeria, camped and groomed raw talents along a football philosophy and diagnostic guidance of the English FA. This was at the dawn of Independence, and of course nobody dared interfere with his work at the King George V Stadium at Onikan. It was he who led the then Red Devils to their most lopsided victory ever. A 10-1 pummeling of then Dahomey. [below]
A lot has been said of the exploits of the Serb, Tiko Jelisavic, but it was the high profile Brazilian, Otto Gloria who guided Nigeria to a first ever AFCON win in 1980. Anecdotal accounts show that both men quit as a result of a plethora of appointed and ad hoc groups shoving them around. Gloria [below] had handled the Brazilian side that included legends: Pele, Garrincha, Didi and Djalma Santos, and was amused at the many faces crowding the dressing room in Lagos at half-time to threaten and tell him who should be replaced.
Gernot Rohr, by contrast is a humble man without notable successes as a soccer manager, and was not even the NFF’s first choice. It makes him prone to interference from the outside ironically by many eager to see to see him slip on the very banana peels which they have strewn along his path.
The mistake overlooked is that quiet people can be principled and stubborn, and that is what we’re very likely to see in the coming weeks if things continue as they have. A stand-off.
Add to the fray that as unassuming as Rohr is, he has also silently won the hearts of many fans in his short spell as coach and there is quiet storm brewing among the local aficionados of the game who want him to be left alone and pick his own ingredients to make his soup.
To those that who will listen their mantra is "good wine takes time". History is there to teach us that this certainly has merit - at least in Nigeria.
Regardless of which way the pendulum finally swings, there is no doubt that the Cameroon game on the 28th in Uyo will go a long way to determine the way forward for both Rohr and his 'helpers.'
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