Nigeria became the latest African side to taste disappointment at the first World Cup to be held on their own soil as they were sent crashing from the tournament on Tuesday.

Lars Lagerback's side needed to defeat South Korea to stand any chance of snatching second spot in Group B but were held 2-2, meaning their opponents join Argentina in the last 16.

Nigeria follow Cameroon and South Africa in failing to reach the knockout stage, while Ivory Coast and Ghana are also struggling.

There is now uncertainty over whether Lagerback will remain in his post.

"I have responsibility for the results," said Lagerback, who guided his home nation Sweden to the second round of the World Cups in 2002 and 2006, but has only been in charge of Nigeria for five months.

"I'm the one doing the gameplan and the one training the team. Maybe with a little more time it could have been a little different.

"I felt privileged to be the coach of Nigeria. It's been a fantastic journey in many ways.

"As for the future, I don't know, the focus has been on the World Cup. I am convinced that we deserved better. When we were behind [in the game against South Korea] we continued to battle and we equalised. But it wasn't good enough.

"I was disappointed about all the chances we missed. The players have done really well. They worked hard over time."

There was also disappointment for Greece, the 2004 European champions, whose defeat by Argentina ensured they will fly home early.

"We wanted to avoid an early goal, we managed to do that, but of course Argentina has more class and that earned them the win," Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said.