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Tag: World cup

  • It was a big disappointment that Nigeria could not qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup- Rohr

    It was a big disappointment that Nigeria could not qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup- Rohr

    “It was a big disappointment that the team (Eagles) could not qualify,” said former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr.

     

    He urged the sports ministry to probe the Nigerian Football Federation for Super Eagles’ inability to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

     

    The Eagles were eliminated on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw with Ghana in Abuja in the second leg of their play-off on Tuesday.

     

    The 68-year-old who was disengaged by the NFF last December in an acrimonious circumstance after a record-setting five years, four months and 10 days in charge of the three times African champions also queried why he was sacked last December.

     

    He was replaced by Austin Eguavoen who recorded four wins (against Coton Sports Garoua, Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau), two draws (against Ghana in the World Cup playoff) and a defeat (to Tunisia at the 2021 AFCON round of 16) in the three months he was in charge of the team.

     

    Prior to his sack, the Franco-German qualified the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup in Russia as well two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 Egypt and 2021 Cameroon respectively.

    In his words: “Nigeria had the better players, but it was not enough to qualify because they did not work collectively as a team. Those who are responsible for the team must be asked to speak about this disappointment and why I was sacked as well because I would have done better.

     

    “My compassion is with the players, the staff and all the fans who are so passionate. Qatar 2022 was our target since the last World Cup in Russia. For most of them, the World Cup in Qatar was their last chance to play.”

    “At least reach the quarter-final of the World Cup and give Nigerian football a good image as we had in the last five years.”

     

    Meanwhile, the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi revealed that the federation could only be held accountable if it can be established that they failed in their responsibility to provide the enabling environment and logistics for the team to thrive.

     

    “There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The Government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is very sad that things turned out the way they did.

     

    “Sport is about winning and losing. Nobody wants to lose but sometimes it happens that way. We are quite sad that despite playing a draw in Kumasi, the Eagles could not win here in Abuja.

     

     

  • Algeria seeks replay of World Cup playoff against Cameroon

    Algeria seeks replay of World Cup playoff against Cameroon

    The Algeria Football Federation (FAF) has called for a replay of their World Cup playoff clash against Cameroon and lodged a complaint with FIFA over the match’s refereeing.

    The Federation claimed the officiating “distorted the result”.

    Karl Toko Ekambi delivered the decisive strike in the fourth added minute of extra time in Blida on Tuesday to condemn Algeria to a 2-1 aggregate loss on away goals.

    Cameroon went on to qualify for Qatar 2022.

    Islam Slimani saw two goals ruled out, the first in the second half and again in extra time.

    Referee Bakary Gassama initially allowing the latter goal to stand before using the pitch-side monitor to deem the Algeria striker had handled the ball.

    Charaf-Eddine Amara has resigned as president of FAF in the wake of Algeria’s exit from World Cup qualifying, while the federation has lodged an appeal to world governing body FIFA.

    “The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has lodged an appeal with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) against the scandalous arbitration which distorted the result of the Algeria-Cameroon playoff,” the statement read.

    “The FAF is determined to use all legally permitted means to have its rights restored and to replay the match under conditions guaranteeing the honesty and partiality of the arbitration.

    “The FAF also requests the opening of an investigation by FIFA bodies to shed light on the arbitration of the Algeria-Cameroon match.”

    The draw for the group stage of the World Cup is set to take place on Friday.

  • Salah hints at Egypt retirement after World Cup failure

    Salah hints at Egypt retirement after World Cup failure

    Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has hinted he could retire from Egypt duty after their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

    The Pharaohs missed out on qualification after losing on penalties to Senegal in a play-off on Tuesday.

    Speaking to his teammates in the changing room after the game, Salah appeared to suggest he had played his last game with Egypt.

    “I told the players before the second match that I am proud to play with them and they are among the best I have played with,” he explained.

    “I played for some time with the previous generation, with Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Abu Trika, then Abdullah Al-Saeed and his generation, but I’m happy with the current generation.

    “I am proud to play with you and it was an honour for me, and what happened cannot be interfered with by anyone because for the second time it is a penalty shootout (after the AFCON final).

    “There is not much I can say but it has been an honour to play with you, whether I will be in the national team after that or not.”

  • 2022 World Cup: Ndidi reacts to Super Eagles playoff loss to Ghana

    2022 World Cup: Ndidi reacts to Super Eagles playoff loss to Ghana

    Super Eagles and Leicester midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has expressed shock over the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    The Black Stars of Ghana secured the Worldcup ticket at the expense of Nigeria after playing out a 1-1 draw in Abuja and qualified on away goal rules on Tuesday.

    Arsenal’s Midfielder Thomas Partey scored for Ghana before Super Eagles’ captain Troost Ekong equalized from the penalty spot.

    Meanwhile, Ndidi who missed out on the encounter due to injury, took to his Twitter page to express shock over the Super Eagles’ ouster with a crying emoji and a word caption ”wow”

    This is the first time since 2006 that the Super Eagles will miss out on the World Cup. They lost out on the Germany 2006 ticket to Angola.

  • Penalty kick heartbreak for Salah as Senegal advance, Cameroon stun hosts Algeria

    Penalty kick heartbreak for Salah as Senegal advance, Cameroon stun hosts Algeria

    There was heartbreak for Mohamed Salah and the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday as they suffered another dramatic penalty kick shootout defeat to Senegal.

    The result meant they lost out on qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup billed for Qatar in November and December.

    Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane sent Senegal through with the winning penalty kick in the shootout victory after the Egyptian missed his effort.

    Hosts Senegal had recovered from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat Egypt by the same margin at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Dakar.

    Salah, with dozens of laser pens seemingly pointing at his face, fired Egypt’s first penalty kick of the shootout over the bar.

    Mostafa Mohamed later failed with the visitors’ fourth kick, allowing Mane to slam his penalty kick past Mohamed El Shenawy and seal Senegal’s progress.

    It was a repeat of the west African side’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title triumph against Egypt in Cameroon last February.

    There was stunning late drama in Bilda as Karl Toko Ekambi scored late in extra time to seal a 2-1 win for visitors Cameroon against Algeria.

    The Indomitable Lions have now progressed to Qatar via away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw.

    Algeria thought they had sealed a place at the World Cup when Ahmed Touba cancelled out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s opener with two minutes remaining in extra time.

    But there was just enough time left for Ekambi to seal the most dramatic of victories.

    Morocco also booked their place in Friday’s World Cup draw with an emphatic 4-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo.

    A brace from Azzedine Ounahi, and goals from Tarik Tissoudali and Achraf Hakimi, sealed a 5-2 aggregate win over DR Congo, who scored a late consolation through Ben Malango.

    Meanwhile, a 0-0 draw for Tunisia against Mali was enough to see the former seal their own place in Qatar after they managed a 1-0 win in the first leg.

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles fail to qualify for 2022 World Cup

    BREAKING: Super Eagles fail to qualify for 2022 World Cup

    Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, following a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday.

    The Super Eagles failed to defeat the Black Stars in Kumasi, as they were only able to draw 0-0.

    In the reverse leg played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the visitors took the lead through Thomas Partey.

    The Arsenal midfielder saw his long-range effort squirm under Francis Uzoho to give Ghana the lead.

    However, Nigeria drew level, after VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Ademola Lookman. Captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up to make it 1-1.

    There were no goals in the second half and the Black Stars qualified on away goals.

     

  • We’ll surprise Nigeria to secure World Cup ticket – Ghana

    We’ll surprise Nigeria to secure World Cup ticket – Ghana

    Otto Addo, the coach of Black Stars of Ghana, says his team will surprise Nigeria’s Super Eagles by securing the 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket in Abuja.

    Addo told newsmen at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s match that he was optimistic of victory.

    He said he was confident because the Black Stars played well in Ghana and they would now improve on their performance in the return leg fixture in Abuja.

    “We have a good team, and we played well in Ghana. We will improve on this, because we are here to push more, and we are determined.

    ‘’Moreover, I don’t see myself being under pressure, because it is a privilege to play against the Super Eagles in Nigeria.

    “We are not better than the Super Eagles and the Super Eagles are not better than us.

    “But we are here to improve on our game until we are satisfied with our performance and score some goals,” the coach said.

    Speaking also, Gideon Mensah, a Black Stars player, said they would maintain the team spirit in their return match against the Super Eagles.

    “We will do better than what we did in Kumasi, we are not just thinking of qualifying, we must qualify from tomorrow’s match,” Gideon said.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Black Stars of Ghana in their return match on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from 6 p.m.

    Nigeria and Ghana had played a goalless draw in their first leg game in Kumasi on Friday.

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec.18.

  • Nigeria v Ghana: I am not under pressure, says Eguavoen

    Nigeria v Ghana: I am not under pressure, says Eguavoen

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen says he is not under pressure in their return match against the Black Stars in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs on Tuesday.

    Eguavoen told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that he was rather motivated to achieve success knowing all Nigerians collectively want Nigeria to be in Qatar for the World Cup.

    “Our expectations as Nigeria are high, that is something I know all too well. But I am not under pressure because all of us have a responsibility regarding this match.

    “And that is why I will urge all football lovers, fans, supporters clubs to come out in their numbers to support the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

    “At the end of the day, every one will be happy. We should all keep the support high, and we pray that at the end of the day every body will be happy,” he said.

    Nigeria will take on Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja in a winner-take-all match.

    Eguavoen assured that his team would definitely improve on their performance of Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, where the Super Eagles drew goalless with the Ghanaian side.

    “Our game will count on Tuesday, and we will make Nigerians proud,” he said.

    The coach also assured that the Super Eagles were in good shape as at some minutes before their evening workout.

    “Everyone is good to go. As for Innocent Bonke and Samuel Chukwueze, we will know where we are by late this (Friday) evening. But, as for the rest, all are in prime condition.

    “The boys are all ready, knowing what is at stake and knowing that it is all or nothing for us at this stage,” he said.

    Eguavoen assured that the team was going to take their goalscoring chances as they came their way, and better than they did in Kumasi on Friday.

    “The focus now is to score goals, because the opportunity is always rare. You take them when you have them,” he said.

    Speaking also, wing forward Moses Simon said he and his teammates would do their best to make Nigerians happy at the end of the match.

    “It is not going to be about me but all about the team, and we will give whatever it takes. We will give everything on Tuesday,” he said.

    “We all know what they will come here with, and we are ready to take the match,” he added.

    The return match on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium will get underway by 6 p.m with the winners over two legs to advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.

  • Qatar 2022 playoffs: Black Stars arrive Abuja for Tuesday’s showdown

    Qatar 2022 playoffs: Black Stars arrive Abuja for Tuesday’s showdown

    The Black Stars of Ghana on Monday afternoon arrived in Abuja for the return leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    The Ghanaian team arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja around 1:35 p.m.

    The team is expected to train a few hours later in the day at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for the make-or-mar match slated for the same venue on Tuesday.

    The Black Stars eyeing a ticket to the Qatar 2022 World Cup slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.

    They had secured a 0-0 draw with the Super Eagles in the fixture’s opening leg on Friday in Kumasi, and now need a score draw or an outright win to succeed.

  • Accepting defeats in life is part of a healthy path – Mancini

    Accepting defeats in life is part of a healthy path – Mancini

    Italy coach Roberto Mancini has taken to social media to express his disappointment after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.

    The Azzurris have missed qualification for Qatar 2022 after losing to North Macedonia on Thursday night.

    Mancini posted: “Football can sometimes be a merciless metaphor for life.

    “Last summer we were on the top of Europe after completing one of the most beautiful feats in the history of the national team. A few hours ago we woke up at one of the most dramatic points.

    “We went from total joy to frustrating disappointment.

    “It’s really hard to accept, but accepting defeats in life is part of a healthy path of human and sporting growth.

    “Let’s take some time to reflect and understand clearly. The only right move now is to raise our heads and work for the future.

    “Thanks to the Palermo crowd for their warmth and thanks to all the fans who have always given us enthusiasm and affection.”