Road to Qatar 2022 World Cup
Nigeria paid the big prize(Video) Qatar 2022: “My grand mother will catch that ball” – angry Eagles supporters blame corruption once again yesterday in Abuja, as it did at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon, where poor goalkeeping by Maduka Okoye stopped the Super Eagles in the round of 16.
The Super Eagles, and indeed millions of Nigerians, are gnashing their teeth after Francis Uzoho’s poor goalkeeping earned Ghana’s Black Stars a ticket to Qatar 2022.
Many football-loving Nigerians blamed goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for the Super Eagles’ semifinal loss to Algeria three years ago at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
In January of this year, the circumstance was duplicated at the Stade Rounde Adjio in Garoau, Cameroon, when Okoye failed to stop Youssef Msakni’s long-range goal two minutes into the second half.
Following Friday’s 0-0 draw with the Black Stars in Kumasi, many Nigerian fans were hoping to see the Super Eagles ‘overrun’ the visitors and secure a ticket to Qatar.
The game had only been going for 11 minutes when Ghana captain Thomas Partey scored. To the dismay of nearly 80,000 fans, his poor shot from outside the 18-yard box drifted slowly past goalie Uzoho.
Although the match ended 1-1 in Abuja yesterday, and 1-1 on aggregate, Ghana’s away goal secured the Black Stars a World Cup ticket, ensuring their participation in the global event.
If the game ended 1-1, that goal was worth twice as much. With nearly everything going their way, the Eagles fell short at the final hurdle.
See video below: