Leon Balogun: Why Nigeria missed Qatar 2022 World Cup

By Olu Dare

Leon Balogun has explained what went wrong in Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Super Eagles missed the ticket to Qatar on away-goal rule with the Black Stars picking to represent Africa.

Prior to that, the three-time African champions had crashed out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 stage.

“It’s the first leg, we did not score, that would have changed the whole picture probably,” Balogun The Beautiful Game Podcast.

“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.”

He went a step further praising Nigerian fans for their unrivalled support.

Balogun continued: “Driving to the stadium on that day I was holding back tears because I was touched by the support. I’ve played with great support, I’m not trying to be disrespectful to any other place we’ve played with the national team before but Abuja that day was packed.

“I saw little boys, girls, families, elders, everybody rooting for us. The stadium was packed, it was unreal and I said to myself just for them we have to make it.

“Obviously it was heartbreaking when we conceded that first goal, it was a tough one to take, came back with a penalty, we couldn’t just break them down.

“We had a few chances but nothing really that got to shock them. In the end you have to say Ghana probably deserved it because we came hard for them.

“Second half they changed their shape and that was pretty much what took a bit of the wind out of us.”