Izuchukwu Okosi
The Nigeria Football Federation is awaiting the verdict of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on the protracted contract dispute between them and former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr.
Rohr was sacked by the NFF few weeks to the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and expected his pending salaries until December 2022 which the Nigeria Federation agreed to pay but the Franco-German is now pressing for a compensation fee of $1m for damages it has been disclosed.
The onetime Bayern Munich defender became the coach of the Super Eagles in 2016 and notably leading Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a third place finish at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Rohr’s claim for compensation was contested by the NFF and a FIFA tribunal examining the issue concluded its sitting last week. However, a verdict is yet to be communicated to either party.
“Mr Rohr’s the only one talking in the media about a case that is already with Fifa,” a top NFF official told BBC Sport Africa.
“That matter is being handled by our legal department and we are waiting [for] a verdict this week or next week before making any official statement.”
Rohr’s representatives were not available for comment, but the former Niger and Gabon manager confirmed he was seeking compensation.
“Now this case is with Fifa and they will decide,” the 68-year-old said according to the BBC.
A spokesperson for FIFA said the organisation will not comment about an ongoing case.
Rohr led the three-time African champions in 58 matches, winning 31, drawing 13 and losing 14.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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