Gernot Rohr Breaks Silence, Names One Person Responsible for Nigeria’s Failure to Qualify for World Cup

Gernot Rohr Breaks Silence, Names One Person Responsible for Nigeria’s Failure to Qualify for World Cup

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM
In this article:
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
  • Gernot Rohr has maintained that former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick cost Nigeria a World Cup ticket
  • The tactician stated that Nigeria failed to qualify for the global showpiece in Qatar because he was fired from the coaching job
  • Rohr added that he regrets that the Super Eagles squad will not be in Qatar, after conceding the ticket to rivals Ghana

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has lashed out at the ex-Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick, over Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

Rohr had led the team to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers, but the Franco-German tactician was fired on the eve of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Augustine Eguavoen was then appointed to lead Nigeria, but the team crashed out in the second round of the AFCON tournament and lost to Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers.

Amaju Pinnick, Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles, World Cup
Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is not impressed that Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup. Photo: GOAL.
Source: UGC

It had ended 0-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, but the Black Stars wreaked havoc when they forced Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Abuja to pick up the precious ticket.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Rohr has been left embittered at the situation, with the tactician once again maintaining that Pinnick caused the World Cup debacle for Nigeria.

Rohr told Eagle7FM Sports Radio, in an interview anchored by Osasu Obayiuwana, as per Complete Sports:

“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... It was not my decision, it was a decision by Pinnick and his board."

Rohr believes however that Pinnick was punished for his decisions, with Nigeria losing out on AFCON glory and also not being able to contest for the World Cup title.

“I hope he takes better decisions now as a member of the FIFA Council," added Rohr.

Oliseh eyes Super Eagles job

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that former Nigeria international, Sunday Oliseh has stated that he could return as Super Eagles coach, if his terms and conditions are met by the NFF chiefs.

The NFF chiefs are the ones in charge of all football matters in Nigeria, and have the responsibility of hiring coaches for all the national teams.

Oliseh was hired as Super Eagles coach in 2015 by former NFF president Pinnick, but his reign as the gaffer of the three-time African champions lasted less than a year.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
Tags
Nigeria