Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for her 7th appearance at FIFA World Cup following their one-all draw against eternal rivals, Black Stars of Ghana.
The soccer tactician, Augustine Eguavoen made as many as five changes in the Super Eagles’ starting eleven dropping Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Zaidu Sanusi to the bench in Kumasi for Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Oghenekaro Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis.
Francis Uzoho kept his place in goal, just as Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Victor Osimhen were listed for today’s clash.
Knowing that the first meeting in Ghana ended in a goalless draw, there was pressure on Nigeria to win at all costs.
After 10 minutes from kick off, Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Uzoho fluffed Thomas Partey strike into his net to put the visitor in the lead.
Pressure mounted on the Ghanians defence yielded fruit as the Video Assistant Referee award Nigeria a penalty following an infringement on Ademola Lookman.
Troost-Ekong stepped up to convert the spot kick in 22nd minute of the pulsating tie.
From there on, Nigeria had one job, get a second goal to win the game in the second half to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With the team failing to do so, Ghana held on the record a massive 1-1 draw and has hence secured qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Augustine Eguavoen-lads missed out of the Mundial on away goal rule.
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