Rohr Reveals An Agent Representing Qatari-Based Player Tried To Influence World Cup List

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has claimed that an unnamed agent representing a Qatari-based Nigerian player attempted to influence his World Cup selection without success.

The German also revealed that agents give presents to journalists for them to write favorable articles about their clients so they get invited to the national team.

''I was recently at the Lagos airport, prior to the squad announcement. Suddenly, about 200 young people marched up, with giant posters. "Gernot Rohr, We Love You" was written on it, and my picture was huge,'' Rohr said in an interview with German newspaper Welt.

''I first thought "Wow," then wondered how they all knew when I wanted to travel. We took pictures, and gradually I realized that the guys all wanted to recommend a player to me, who is playing in Qatar and still wants to go to the World Cup.

''Later I learned that the player's advisor had staged the whole thing. ''

Rohr added : ''There is often a lack of expertise. In addition, players and their advisors like to give gifts to journalists to put pressure on the coaching team, for example, if they want to be called up to the squad. Nigeria has a lot of different media, but unfortunately not all are serious.''

Rohr and World Cup winning-manager Joachim Löw are the two German coaches that will be in the dugout at the 2018 World Cup.

Igho Kingsley