TUE 29 MARCH, 2022-theGBJournal| The over 60,000 fans at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in ABUJA was stunned into silence in the 20th minute when hard-shooting Ghanaian striker Thomas Partey shot from 30 yards put Ghana ahead and gave the neighbouring country a crucial away goal in the crunchy World Cup tie.
The goal eventually ended Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ dream.
Partey’s goal galvanised the Super Eagles as they pushed the Ghana Black Stars back and 20 minutes into the game, 10 minutes after Ghana’s goal, Nigeria struck back. Ghana’s defender Denis Odoi’s challenge on forward Ademola Lukman in the box was ruled a penalty. Troost Ekong stepped up and delicately struck the ball into the far right hand corner of the Ghana post to bring Nigeria back into the game.
The Eagles pushed. Lanky Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s goal was disallowed in the 36th minute following a long 4 minutes VAR review.
The second half saw a very lacklustre performance by Nigeria and late changes by the Nigerian coach Augustine Eguavoen, who made 5 changes to the squad, didn’t change the fate of the poorly organised Nigerian side after a tense second leg in Abuja.
Ghana qualifies on away goal rule after the 1-1 draw.
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