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Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr have disclosed that his target was to lead the team to the 2022 World Cup quarter-final in Qatar but lamented that his sacking in December did not allow the plan come through, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The Eagles were eliminated on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw with Ghana in Abuja in the second leg of their play-off on Tuesday.

The development led to the sacking of the entire team’s technical bench by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and Rohr further called on the federal government to investigate the NFF to ascertain what led to the inglorious show on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old Rohr was sacked acrimoniously in December was replaced by a bunch of ex internationals led by Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amunike.

The German was replaced by Austin Eguavoen who recorded four wins (against Coton Sports Garoua, Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau), two draws (against Ghana in the World Cup playoff) and a defeat (to Tunisia at the 2021 AFCON round of 16) in the three months he was in charge of the team.

Prior to his sack, the Franco-German qualified the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup in Russia where they crashed out in the group stage as well two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 Egypt and 2021 Cameroon respectively.

“It was a big disappointment that the team (Eagles) could not qualify,” Rohr told Punch

“Nigeria had the better players, but it was not enough to qualify because they did not work collectively as a team. Those who are responsible for the team must be asked to speak about this disappointment and why I was sacked as well because I would have done better.

“My compassion is with the players, the staff and all the fans who are so passionate. Qatar 2022 was our target since the last World Cup in Russia. For most of them, the World Cup in Qatar was their last chance to play.

“At least reach the quarter-final of the World Cup and give Nigerian football a good image as we had in the last five years.”

The NFF is currently in the market looking for foreign coach to take charge of the team ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers in June.