NFF, Rohr pressure Moses to reverse retirement

Chelsea wingback Victor Moses  has reportedly come under pressure from Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr  and the Nigeria Football Federation  to reverse his international retirement.

Our correspondent learnt that  Moses’ shock announcement from the Super Eagles  last week caught Rohr, many  of  his teammates  and  fans  by  surprise.

The 27-year-old, who represented the country at the Brazil  2014 and Russia 2018  World Cups, said he  decided to call time on his international career to enable him to focus on his club career and his family.

 The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner said in  a statement  on his  Twitter handle  he informed  Rohr  of his decision   “by telephone”.

And the NFF General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed was quoted as saying “the football house is talking with him (Moses)  to find out the reason and if possible convince him to rescind his decision for the sake of the country”.

It was learnt that Rohr and his employers had  been trying to persuade the former England junior international to change his mind despite the leadership crisis in the national football house, which has seen  Chris Giwa locked in a battle with Amaju Pinnick over the true leader of Nigerian football.  But the Federal Government on Monday  recognised  Pinnick as president of the NFF. The announcement saved the country from FIFA hammer.

Sources claim Moses is not happy with the bad press for the country over the power struggle over the leadership of the NFF  and decided to quit.

However, our correspondent learnt that the former Wigan player, who represented England at the South Korea  2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup won by Nigeria, is digging his heels in.

Rohr said on Thursday he would continue his talks with the player.

“We spoke already and I hope that his decision is not definitive,” the  veteran German manager    was  quoted by KweséESPN as saying.

“I think it depends on his motivation. If he really wants to commit himself again, he is welcome.

“Maybe the chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations  is motivation. We will see.”

Moses  scored 12 times in his 37 appearances for Nigeria, and provided a constant and potent threat for the Super Eagles whenever he played.












































Rainbowgist