GERNOR Rohr says the decision by former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, to sack him denied the Super Eagles qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 69-year-old German was fired as head coach of the three-time African champions by the NFF last December, after a string of poor performances.
NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, replaced Rohr on an interim basis leading the Eagles to a round of 16 finish at the delayed 2022 Africa Cup of Nation last January, but failed to qualify the team for the World Cup.
The Eagles were eliminated by eternal rivals Ghana on the away-goal rule following a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Abuja, after the first leg between both sides ended goalless in Kumasi.
Speaking with Eagle7FM Sports Radio, Rohr said, “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.
“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 Eagles will face World Cup-bound Portugal in an international friendly at Jose Alvalade Stadium on Thursday (today).
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