'Story is not over' - Ex-Man City CB planned to ghost Ghanaian pals if Super Eagles missed playoffs

Former Manchester City centre-back Nedum Onuoha has admitted he planned to cut off communication with his Ghanaian friends had Nigeria failed to secure a place in the playoffs of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria booked their playoff spot after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, a result that ensured they finished second in their group and advanced as one of the best runners-up in the qualifying series.

Speaking on ESPN after the match, Onuoha expressed relief and amusement at Nigeria's qualification.

"I can confirm that I didn't believe in it at all. And if anything I was trying to block the numbers of my Ghanaian friends and other people from West Africa because the grief we are going to receive for not qualifying for the 48 teams tournament was going to be crazy," Onuoha said.

While remaining hopeful about the Super Eagles' chances, Onuoha expressed disappointment over the team's failure to secure automatic qualification for the global tournament.

"It was not going to say they have guaranteed qualification now but at least the hope is there. I wish it didn't need to be this way because a team like Nigeria who were in the final of the African Nations not too long ago for them to end up drawing half of their game in the qualifying campaign to sides who you expect them to beat. 

"I think it is a huge disappointment. But thankfully the story is not over yet even if now some people will probably argue that it should be."

Nigeria will now compete alongside Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon in the World Cup playoff series scheduled to take place in Morocco in November 2025.

The victor of the playoff will then represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff, which will determine the continent's final qualifier for the global showpiece in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Adeyemi Adewale

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