It's was a night of silence, heartbreak and pain after Ghana put a break to the high flying Eagles to the most expensive world cup to be in the history of football and sports in Qatar.
Nigeria had Ghana on the ropes in the second leg of the 2022 World Cup playoffs and could have easily wrapped up the contest in the first half, Olaoluwa Aina claimed in an interview with FL.
Ever since their fine display and style at the AFCON in Cameroon, the Nigerian national team has been psychological overconfident.
Ghana team who suffered a great deal at the African Cup of Nations, with a poor display made the super eagles to conclude that they will override and triumph over the Black Stars.
That ego thinking was not only to the players alone but also to the Nigerian fans at large. It was unfortunate for the Eagles that the Ghanian team went back after their shameful displays at AFCON, built a team with confidence and stir up their rivalry against the Super Eagles.
The Qatar world cup was a perfect moment for the black stars to redeemed their pride and gain back her respect among their fans and most importantly the fear of missing out of the World Cup in two straight.
Ola Aina when addressing the media he indicated the cause for their failure of qualification.
- Over Confidence
- Underestimation of Ghana
As he looked back to that fateful when the Super Eagles tripped at the finish line against their African arch rivals, Aina said the team was too confident of win at Abuja and the World Cup ticket.
“We went into the game in Abuja very confident; I certainly did, and I feel like we was on the front foot from the first whistle,” the RB said recounting the game.
However, despite super eagles early dominance, Ghana threw the first punch inside the 10th minute through captain Thomas Partey.
Although Nigeria responded, William Troost-Ekong converting from the penalty spot after a review showed Ademola Lookman was tripped in the box.
The Super Eagles Stand-in captain dispatched perfectly to level the score in the 26th minute.
Wave and wave of Nigeria’s offensives were repelled in the first half and subsequently in the second, wasted opportunities that eventually would see Ghana progress.
“You see Victor’s (Osimhen) goal was disallowed, but we had many opportunities in the first half to maybe even put the game to sleep very early,” Aina continued.
“But it wasn’t to happen, it wasn’t to be and these things happen in football.”
Super Eagles and by extension the Nigerian fans underestimated her arch rival ahead of their encounter. Ghanian team were judge by their past, i.e their extremely poor display in Cameroon in which they managed to score one goal and earned just one point to be kicked out of the tournament at the group stage.
The eagles walked that line that it was the same Ghana, she failed to adequately prepare her wings and claws for Ghana faceoff.
The tie, over two legs ended 1-1 on aggregate but the Black Stars punched their ticket to Qatar on away goals rule.