Vogts quits Nigeria

Berti Vogts: No more faith in the Nigerian FA [GALLO/GETTY]

Berti Vogts has resigned as coach of Nigeria citing differences with the country’s top football official at this month’s African Cup of Nations.

Nigeria was eliminated in the tournament’s quarterfinals under the German coach, who was signed to lead the team through the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“Too much happened during and after the African Cup. Most of all I don’t have any faith in the president of the Nigerian federation anymore,” Vogts said.

“Working together is no longer possible.”

The 61-year-old Vogts, whose biggest triumph was leading Germany to the 1996 European Championship title, did not elaborate on his differences with Nigerian Football Association president Sanni Lulu.

Lulu, however, publicly blamed the African Cup showing, under the country’s expectations, on Vogts.
 
Vogts told the German news agency dpa before the African Cup that he was expected to come home with the continent’s top trophy.

“The country expects the title win, without yielding a goal,” Vogts said.

In early January, Vogts complained to a German newspaper about late salary payments and delayed team bonuses for players. He expressed doubts then about his future as Nigeria coach.

But Vogts, who also coached Scotland, lauded the Nigerian players at the time.

His trouble, he said, was with the FA’s organisation.

“Working with the players was a lot of fun for me,” Vogts said.

“It gave me back my joy in football.”