Gernot Rohr has insisted he does not consider himself the saviour of Nigeria football, but instead a coach who won World Cup qualification for the country.
This month the Franco-German coach guided Nigeria to a sixth World Cup after the three-time African champions failed to qualify for last two AFCONs.
“I do not know if I’m considered the saviour, but as a coach who had the chance to qualify for the World Cup and did what it took to get there,” he said in an interview published by L’Equipe.
“I arrived at a time when everyone was wondering how to get out of the shadows, after two consecutive non-qualification for the AFCON. They were really at the bottom of the hole. We could only go back up.”
Rohr again restated his fulfillment in qualifying the Super Eagles to Russia 2018.
“It gives me a lot of joy and satisfaction, of course,” he told the sports newspaper.
“It’s a new challenge, a new adventure that’s coming. Participating in the most important tournament in the world, with the best teams, is something every player and coach dreams about.
“To experience this is already gratifying, even if it does not mean that we will reach the end.
“It’s a reward for me who has been leading national teams for many years. I had already done some interesting things in the African Cups for example, but then this is really a big plus.”