Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, is unflinching in his criticism of former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick.
Speaking during an interview with EAGLE 7FM Rohr argued that Mr. Pinnick by firing him two weeks to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations paved the way for the Super Eagles downfall at the tournament and their failure to pick the 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket against the Blacks 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 said.
“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.”
After the sacking of Rohr, Pinnick handed over the team to Austin Eguaveon the NFF technical director that hadn’t coached a team for more than ten years. The warning signs were there when he failed to get the Super Eagles beyond the round of 16 of the AFCON in Cameroon. It was their worst outing in recent years.
The heartbreak came roost in the World Cup qualifier play-off. The Super Eagles held Ghana to a goalless draw in Kumasi, they even had several chances to put the first leg beyond the reach of the Black Stars. In the second leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja the Eagles were colourless and they paid the price after Ghana went ahead. Nigeria drew level from the spot and failed to find the winner.
Later Shehu Dikko the NFF vice president blamed coaches Eguavoen and his assistant Emmanual Amuneke for the loss, saying their bad selections cost the Eagles the match.
It was an allegation Eguavoen and Amuneke, two former Super Eagles players failed to respond to; It was a disastrous outing and Nigeria fans let the whole world know how hurting it was for them by smashing up the MKO Stadium.
The sad turn of events cost Pinnick his quest to rule the NFF for another four years.
