Breaking: Super Eagles of Nigeria Crash Out of World Cup After 1:1 Draw Against Ghana in Abuja

Breaking: Super Eagles of Nigeria Crash Out of World Cup After 1:1 Draw Against Ghana in Abuja

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
  • Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after they were eliminated on the away goals rule by Ghana in a packed Moshood Abiola Stadium
  • Ghana had taken a shock early lead in the first half through Thomas but Troost-Ekong leveled for the Super Eagles when he converted from the penalty spot
  • Ghana has now qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar which will be their 4th appearance at football's biggest showpiece

Thomas Partey's 10th-minute goal proved too costly for the Super Eagles as it eliminated Nigeria from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles had been optimistic about getting a victory against the Black Stars after holding the Ghanaians to a goalless draw in the first leg in Kumasi.

Super Eagles, Nigeria, Black Stars, Ghana, Abuja, Kumasi, World Cup play-offs
Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen giving instructions to the Nigeria players. Photo by Emmanuel Osodi
Source: UGC

The 60,000 capacity Moshood Abiola Stadium had been packed full of supporters who came to cheer the Super Eagles to victory but left disappointed after the final whistle.

Victory for Ghana means the Black Stars have now qualified for their 4th World Cup after missing the last edition in 2018 hosted by Russia.

How it happened in Abuja

Nigeria dominated the early exchanges at the Moshood Abiola Stadium but was stunned in the 10th minute when Thomas Partey shot beat Francis Uzoho in goal to give the Black Stars a 1-0 lead.

The Super Eagles responded almost immediately as Williams Troost-Ekong equalized from the penalty spot after Ademola Lookman was fouled inside the Ghanaian 18-yard box.

Victor Osihmen thought he had given Nigeria the lead after putting the ball in the net late in the first half but the Napoli man's strike was chalked off after a VAR check after he was found offside.

The second half was largely uneventful as the Black Stars showed character and hunger as they prevented the Super Eagles from creating any meaningful opportunity to turn around the tie.

Loss for Nigeria means the Super Eagles have now failed to progress to the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations.

Tension in Abuja as Super Eagles Face Ghana

Earlier, Sports Brief reported there will be serious tension in Abuja on Tuesday evening, 29 March, when the Super Eagles of Nigeria face the Black Stars of Ghana in a must-win encounter for the 2022 World Cup ticket.

Following Friday's draw in Kumasi, Ghana have now failed to win any of their last five games across all competitions, while Nigeria have managed just one win in their last five home games.

But one thing the Super Eagles players should have at the back of their minds is that the Black Stars will aim to score in Abuja, and if they do so, that could be a serious problem for Nigeria.

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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