Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says his team’s 2-1 loss to Argentina in Tuesday’s World Cup game at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium is ‘a big disappointment.’
Defender Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute strike claimed the much needed victory for the Albicelestes, denying the Super Eagles a place in the round of 16 stage.
FT in St. Petersburg. Our galant Eagles bow out of the World Cup. Thank you for all your support #SoarSuperEagles #NGA #Team9jaStrong #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/IUuJOYtOoS
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 26, 2018
The German tactician admitted that his side tried but further expressed his displeasure for their failure to prolong their stay in the tournament.
“It’s a big disappointment, the guys did the best, played a very good second half and are were few minutes away from qualifying. I am proud of my players,” Rohr said in a post-match press conference.
“We played well in the second half, we are missing a bit of experience, we have a young team and I think these tournament will build the character of the team and in four years they will be very strong.”
📸 #SoarSuperEagles #NGA #Team9jaStrong #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/bczj3GDbjG
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 26, 2018
The 64-year-old gaffer hopes to stay and win with the team.
“I have a good feeling with this team and I would like to continue with the team. This side is a good cocktail of youth, passion, discipline and we have never had any problems.
“We lost the first game, worked very hard to be better in the second and they did so well that we hoped to come through against Argentina.
Rohr continued:
“We missed a bit of experience in the last minutes, but this is part of character building and we will learn and be better in the next cup – the Afcon – and I hope we will do well in the competition.”
