By Amaechi Agbo
Former Super Eagles handler, Gernot Rohr has blamed ex Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick for the failure of the team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup
Rohr was sacked in December 2021 after guiding the Super Eagles to the World Cup playoff round and with less than three weeks to the commencement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cameroon
After failing to win the in January, the Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the global football fiesta after losing 1-1 on aggregate to eternal rivals, Black Stars of Ghana in March
Speaking on a radio interview in Lagos, the German coach said that his sack by Pinnick cost Nigeria the World Cup ticket and the AFCON trophy
“Pinnick said my dismissal will avert a disaster, but in the end he created the disaster that cost Nigeria the ticket to the World Cup,” Rohr told Eagle7FM Sports Radio in an interview anchored by Osasu Obayiuwana.
“I regret that I did not take my team to win the World Cup, I regret my players will not be at the World Cup even though they deserve to be there.
“It was not my decision, it was a decision by Pinnick and his board.
“He was punished for this as Nigeria lost the chance to win the AFCON and did not qualify for the World Cup.
“I hope he takes better decisions now as a member of the FIFA Council.”
The 2022 World Cup holding in Qatar will start on Sunday and Rohr, who could not lead the team beyond group stage in 2018 Russia World Cup, will be in Qatar for media work.
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