Heartbreak for Nigeria As Star Midfielder to Miss World Cup Playoffs Against Ghana

Heartbreak for Nigeria As Star Midfielder to Miss World Cup Playoffs Against Ghana

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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  • Alex Iwobi is set to miss decisive 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ghana after Nigeria crashed out of AFCON 2021
  • The Everton midfielder was red-carded during Nigeria’s shock Africa Cup of Nations exit against Tunisia in the Round of 16
  • Both legs of the World Cup playoffs will be played between March 21 and 29 with the aggregate winners securing a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be missing the services of key midfielder Alex Iwobi when they square up against perennial rivals Ghana in the final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria were paired to face the Black Stars in the World Cup playoffs on Saturday, January 22 as CAF conducted its final draws for its representatives at the World Cup holding in Qatar.

The Everton midfielder courtesy of picking up a red card against Tunisia as the Super Eagles exited the Africa Cup of Nations will now be banned from taking any part in the first-leg in Accra.

Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi was introduced in the 59th minute but got sent off seven minutes later after a VAR review upgraded a yellow card to a red for a rash tackle. Photo by Mohamed El-Shahed
Source: Getty Images

Iwobi was introduced in the 59th minute of the game but got sent off seven minutes later after a VAR review upgraded a yellow card to a red for a rash tackle.

Meanwhile, Ghana will also be without inspirational captain Andre Ayew who was red-carded during their 3-2 defeat to Comoros which sent them packing reports Ghana Soccernet.

The Punch reports both legs of the World Cup playoffs will be played between March 21 and 29 with the aggregate winners securing a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Black Stars have been scheduled to host the first fixture in Accra while Nigeria will stage the reverse fixture a week later.

Tunisia Coach Brags After Winning Against Nigeria

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Following Tunisia’s impressive Round of 16 triumph against Nigeria, the head coach of the Carthage Eagles Mondher Kebaier has revealed the master plan for the victory against the Super Eagles.

Youssef Msakni second-half strike sealed a 1-0 for Tunisia in the second round fixture as the North Africans sealed a fourth consecutive quarter-final berth in the ongoing AFCON.

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Following Tunisia’s impressive Round of 16 triumph against Nigeria, the head coach of the Carthage Eagles Mondher Kebaier has revealed the master plan for the victory against the Super Eagles.

Youssef Msakni second-half strike sealed a 1-0 for Tunisia in the second round fixture as the North Africans sealed a fourth consecutive quarter-final berth in the ongoing AFCON.

Tunisia will next play against Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals of the 2021 AFCON while the Super Eagles next fixture is the World Cup playoffs against arch-rivals Ghana in March.

Authors
Chukwu Ikechukwu photo
Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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