Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the issue of contract extension for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, lies with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The minister gave the clarification on Wednesday in Abuja at a brief meeting with Rohr before dashing for the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa.
Rohr’s current contract expires in June 2020 with the NFF yet to get the German to put pen to paper.
Dare, however, stressed that the ministry would continue to give the coach all the necessary support as the NFF finalises its meeting on the contract talks.
“The issue of contract (with Rohr) will be best handled by the NFF, I understand the need to work the fine lines.
“I understand there is a contractual arrangement with the NFF, I will allow the NFF to work through its process,” Dare said.
He also charged the coach not to be distracted but intensify efforts to take Nigerian football to the pinnacle.
The minister tasked the coach on working with stakeholders to develop the Nigeria Professional League (NPL) in line with international best practice.
“More importantly your knowledge and support for the domestic league will be very important because you can share your experience with our local coaches,” he said.
Earlier, Rohr congratulated Dare on his appointment and efforts to reposition Nigerian sports.
He pledged to work more closely with the minister going forward as the Super Eagles strive to pick the AFCON 2021 ticket.
Nigeria currently sits atop Group L of the 2021 AFCON qualifiers with six points ahead of Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and Lesotho.
