RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has failed to convince Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike to stage a comeback to international football.
Lille goalkeeper Enyeama quit the Eagles after a major falling out with then coach Sunday Oliseh last year, while striker Emenike cut short his international career soon after without any explanation.
Rohr has swung into action to ensure the Eagles are back flying again in time for 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in October in Zambia.
A team official disclosed to Africanfootball.com that “Enyeama and Emenike have rejected an offer from the new Eagles coach to return to the team for the World Cup qualifiers.
“He was told before hand not to bother because the players have made up their mind not to represent the country, but he still went ahead and spoke to the two players and he got a big no.
“In the case of Enyeama, the coach argued he is one of the best goalkeepers in France and as such everything be done to get him back to the team.”
Emenike has rediscovered his form at Turkish club Fenerbache since loan spells in UAE and West Ham United last season.
In another development, the new Super Eagles gaffe will earn $47,000 a month.
This sum converted to local currency at the current exchange rate comes down to over N18m and it is a geometrical jump from the five million Naira Sunday Oliseh pocketed before he quit his post in February.
The Franco-German has signed a two-year contract, which is now believed will be bankrolled by an oil company owned by Ifeanyi Ubah.
Officials have already argued that Rohr will be assisted by three others he has handpicked – an adviser, a fitness trainer and a video specialist.
The former Burkina Faso and Niger coach will be the one responsible for these assistants.
Rohr will be in charge of next month’s AFCON 2017 qualifier in Uyo against Tanzania, which will mainly serve as warm-up to Nigeria’s opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Zambia on October 3.
