2022 World Cup playoffs: Augustine Eguavoen rues missed chances as Nigeria draw goalless against Ghana in first leg

Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen was left to rue a number of missed chances from his side in a 0-0 draw against Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final play-offs.

Ghana and Nigeria played out a goalless draw in the first leg at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi.

Moses Simon was rebuffed twice by Black Stars goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott as the teams met in a World Cup clash for the first time since 2001.

Nigeria thought they had earned a penalty in the 75th minute after Idrissu Baba handled the ball in the box but the referee overturned his initial verdict after consulting the VAR.

“Ghana are a very tough team,” coach Eguavoen said after the game

“We had two clear chances to just finish Ghana, but I think getting a draw is good even though we wanted to win here (in Ghana).0-0, I think it’s still good enough.

“The biggest positive we take from this is that we did not lose. We got a good result and our team was very organised and disciplined. But it was a good game and we are happy with the result.”

He added, “This is not over. It is just the first half of this game, and there is still the second leg to play.”

“I was not happy with the way we were letting them win some balls and get into spaces, but we will sort that out in the second leg.

“We don’t expect an easy game in Abuja, but we are confident that we can win and qualify.”

The two West African countries will face each other in the second leg on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The winner of the tie will represent the continent at the World football showpiece which is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18.

The Super Eagles are seeking to qualify for the global showpiece a 7th time and, since 1994, have missed only one of seven editions. The last of three appearances by Ghana was in 2014.