Nigeria has crashed out of the race to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after a 1-1 draw with Ghana and losing on aggregate at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The first leg game in Kumasi had ended 0-0 leaving the Ghanaians to qualify on the away goal rules.
Thomas Partey put the Ghanaian side ahead in the early minutes of the first half before Troost Ekong converted a penalty to level affairs minutes later.
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However, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the crucial second goal, breaking the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans.
The Black Stars of Ghana are back in the World Cup finals after qualifying in 2006, 2010, and 2014, but missing out four years ago.
The defeat was a massive blow for Nigeria, who were chasing a seventh appearance in eight attempts since debuting at the 1994 World.
Meanwhile, Senegal defeated Egypt 3-1 on penalties to book their place in Qatar. Boulaye Dia scored in the fourth minute as the Lions ofTeranga won the second leg 1-0 for a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The shootout began with four misses – including from both captains Mohamed Salah and Kalidou Koulibaly before Sadio Mane sealed the win to repeat his heroics in last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
Ghana and Senegal are now the first two African countries to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Either Cameroon or Algeria will be joining them after the outcome of the second leg encounter tonight.
