In what will go down as a shocking result in football circuits, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, failing to win at home, this time when they crucially needed all 3 points.
The Super Eagles, playing infront of a vociferous crowd, a jam packed 60,000 MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, refused to fly as they were held at home to a 1-1 draw by the Black Stars of Ghana.
It was all disbelief when Partey struck in the 5th minute of the game as a shot from 25 yards sailed straight into goal, catching goal keeper Francis Uzohor cold for Ghana to register their opening goal.
The Nigerians rallied to equalize less than 10 minutes later as Ademola Lookman was brought down in the penalty area of Ghana and after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Nigeria. Captain of the side, William Troost-Ekong stepped up and calmly converted the kick to restore parity.
Victor Osimhen thought he had placed Nigeria ahead in the 15th minute as a solo effort saw him outpacing the Ghana defence and rounding off the goal keeper before hitting the ball into the net but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed.
Both sides made a lot of technical changes in the 2nd half but none could find the back of the net as scores after full time stood at 1-1.
Ghana by virtue of the outcome, have now qualified for the world cup by the away goals rule. Nigeria eliminated.
