Former Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has once again criticised Amaju Pinnick, the former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, for the team’s failure to pick a ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Rohr endured a frosty relationship with Pinnick during the latter part of his reign in charge of the Super Eagles. The German was fired last December after guiding the Super Eagles to the playoff round.
The Nigerians wobbled through the qualifiers losing at home to Central African Republic and were also forced to a draw at home by Cape Verde.
Former defender, Austin Eguavoen took charge of the Super Eagles in an interim capacity and the team eventually failed to qualify for the mundial after losing on away goal rule to the Black Stars of Ghana.
“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 that 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.”
Rohr was linked with the Mali national team coaching job after being sacked by Nigeria but he lost out to Eric Chelle.
The former Gabon and Burkina Faso tactician recently stated that he is open to coaching.
He will, however, be in Qatar for media work.