Nigeria 1 Ghana 1 : Thomas Partey's away goal denies Eguavoen's team World Cup spot

Nigeria's Super Eagles on Tuesday evening crashed out of the race for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja.

The first leg ended scoreless which put the Ghanaians in an advantageous position.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey put the Black Stars ahead in the 11th minute before Nigeria's captain William Troost Ekong restored parity with a penalty in the 22nd minute.

The Super Eagles interim boss Austin Eguavoen made five changes to the starting lineup that played in the first leg.

The Eagles had more possession of the ball in the first half but it was Ghana who went ahead as early as the 11th minute when Thomas Partey let fly a low shot that flew under the arms of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

A minute later Victor Osimhen's arrowed shot missed target by whiskers.

The Eagles equalised after 11 minutes when William Troost Ekong scored from the penalty spot after the VAR awarded the Nigerians the kick after Ademola Lookman was fouled by Dennis Odoi.

Nigeria could have gone ahead with 35 minutes played when Victor Osimhen ran past the defensive duo of Thomas Amartey and Alexander Djiku from a long pass inside the Nigerian half but the VAR spotted the offside against the Napoli striker.

The Ghanaians went defensive in the second half and Nigeria struggled to break them down despite the attacking substitutes as Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Sadiq Umar came off the bench.

Izuchukwu Michael