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Gernot Rohr: Amaju Pinnick responsible for Nigeria’s Qatar 2022 World Cup blackout
By Olu Dare
Gernot Rohr claimed Amaju Pinnick’s decision to fire him as Nigeria coach cost the Super Eagles a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The three-time African champions’ 1-1 draw with Cape Verde proved to be the last game for the German tactician, as the NFF replaced him with Augustine Eguavoen.
“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.
“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.”
Rohr was named as permanent manager of the three-time African champions in August 2016, following the departure of the Nigerian great Sunday Oliseh. He won his first game in charge of the Super Eagles – defeating Tanzania 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The German tactician led the country to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia as well as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – where Nigeria finished third after defeating Tunisia in the third-place match.
In May 2020, he agreed on a two-and-a-half-year contract extension after the NFF reviewed his performances.
Before he was axed, the 68-year-old came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after the Super Eagles struggled but eventually advanced from Group C in the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
