2022 World Cup: Great Act of Sportsmanship As Super Eagles Defender Congratulates Black Stars Players

• Nigeria was handed World Cup heartbreak by West African neighbours Ghana when the Black Stars qualified for Qatar 2022 in their own backyard
• Despite the disappointment in failing to reach the World Cup, Leon Balogun took time out to congratulate Ghana for their qualification
• The playing body led by skipper William Troost-Ekong has rendered an unqualified apology to Nigerians for their failure to qualify for the Mundial

Super Eagles and Rangers defender Leon Balogun made an impressive gesture following Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The Nigerian defender demonstrated his act of sportsmanship by trooping to the dressing room of the Black Stars to congratulate the Ghanaian contingent for their feat.

Balogun, who was touted as the weakest link in the Nigerian defence, proved his critics wrong by giving a good account of himself alongside skipper William Troost-Ekong.

The 33-year-old defender missed out on the AFCON due to injury however was slotted into the heart of the Nigerian defence in the first leg against Ghana as he helped the Super Eagles pull a goalless draw in Kumasi.

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He rarely put a foot wrong in the second leg of the West African derby as Nigeria and Ghana proved inseparable once again with the two sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

After the game, a visibly disappointed crowd at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium resorted to vandalizing the edifice to register their displeasure with the performance of their team.

Regardless of the dismay expressed by home supporters and the pain of failing to qualify for the World Cup, Leon Balogun reiterated the camaraderie between the two nations by stepping into the dressing room of the Black Stars.

The towering defender shook the hands and hugged the Black Stars players and technical team as he congratulated them on picking one of Africa's five slots allotted at the World Cup.

Super Eagles captain apologizes to Nigerians after World Cup heartbreak

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that William Troost-Ekong has tendered an apology to all Nigerians following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja.

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Super Eagles' campaign in the World Cup qualifiers ended on a disastrous note as coach Eguavoen and his wards failed to give Nigerians the ticket for the prestigious tournament.

The Black Stars of Ghana qualified for the World Cup on away goal rules joining Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon and Morocco as the five African nations that will go to Qatar.