'In Kumasi, yes' - Eguavoen accepts Ghana were better first leg, questions character of Super Eagles

Published: April 06, 2022

Augustine Eguavoen has accepted that the Black Stars were the better side in the first leg of their 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria at the Baba Yara Stadium but his team edged the game in the second leg without being rewarded for their dominance.

Despite the Ghanaians having more possession and shots on target, Nigeria's dogged defence could not be breached in Kumasi to leave the second leg finely poised.

Nigeria were eliminated via the away goal rule after William Troost-Ekong, from the spot, cancelled out a crucial opener by Ghana skipper Thomas Partey.

Eguavoen spoke of the Super Eagles lack of character during the second leg at the National Stadium in Abuja, saying that they did not show fighting spirit that would have seen them win the game.

"We wanted it more, probably because the character wasn't enough, it didn't show that we wanted it more," Eguavoen said on SuperSport's Monday Night Football monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"We went out there to fight but how do you fight? It's about fast football, combination, trying to score goals but like I said earlier on Ghana vs Nigeria is always very, very tough".

Asked if the Ghanaians were better than his team, Eguavoen replied : "In Kumasi yes, in Abuja no. Go and watch the game."

The Nigeria Football Federation did away with the services of Eguavoen and his assistants after the country's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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