Africa-Press – Ghana. Former Nigeria technical advisor and coach Austin Eguavoen has given the reason why the Super Eagles missed out on a spot in this year’s World Cup following their elimination by Ghana.
Eguavoen claims the Black Stars qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because they wanted it more than the Super Eagles.
The 56-year-old technician asserted that Nigeria lacked character and courage in the second leg of the play-off against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Ghana qualified for the World Cup ahead of Nigeria by away goal advantage after drawing 1-1 in Abuja last week after the first leg had ended 0-0 at the Babayara Stadium in Kumasi.
“We lacked the character, zeal to beat Ghana when it mattered most,” Eguavoen said on SuperSports TV.
“The Ghanaians showed they wanted it more than our boys and that was why it ended that way. We did not do any of that. We didn’t fight or push enough for the winner and how do you do that? It’s with fast-paced football, creating chances but that did not happen.
“In Kumasi, the Ghanaians were better but in Abuja, the Eagles were the better side but could not win.
“The games between Ghana and Nigeria are always very difficult. If we had lost in Kumasi or in Abuja, I would have regarded myself as a failure but we lost on away goal. We did not lose the game but we lost the ticket to qualify for the World Cup.”
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