Nigeria defender Leon Balogun has explained why the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the final play-offs of the 2022 World Cup at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to seal qualification to the global showpiece.
The first leg in Kumasi ended goalless and goals from Thomas Partey and William Troost-Ekong ensured the return game also ended all square to leave the tie at 1-1 on aggregate after 180 minutes, but the Black Stars claimed the ticket to Qatar 2022 on the away goals rule.
Balogun said, “It’s the first leg, we did not score, that would have changed the whole picture probably."
“It’s a bit funny because that season the away goal-rule was scrapped everywhere. I don’t know why they didn’t do it in Africa. I have no clue, until this day, I don’t understand.
“We did go to Ghana to play that first leg and it was a tough game. There was this whole fuss about them changing the stadium last minute where they’ve never lost, and they said whether juju may or may not have been involved.
“It was really, really tough and we ended up playing 0-0. I remember we had a meeting one or two days after and one of the staff said we’re 70 percent through and I thought to myself that can’t be right.
“We played a goalless draw away from home, if that’s helpful to anyone then it’s Ghana. We said we have to just pour our hearts out for that game.”