It’s a painful thing, Super Eagles won’t be in Qatar – Ahmed Musa

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has recalled the incidents that occurred during the ill-fated Qatar World Cup 2022 qualifier against Ghana at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

After playing to a scoreless draw in Kumasi in the first leg of their play-off, the Eagles needed to defeat Ghana in Abuja in March to advance to the World Cup. However, they were only able to manage a 1-1 draw, allowing the Black Stars to advance to the tournament based on the away-goal rule.

Speaking with Arise TV, the Fatih Karagumruk forward said he was left disappointed with the failure to qualify for the Mundial as he had looked forward to his third World Cup appearance, having represented Nigeria in the 2014 and 2018 editions.

“It was a very big disappointment for me because the World Cup is one of the best tournaments that as a player you want to go there,” the former Leicester City winger told Arise TV.

“I’ve been to the World Cup twice and this one, I won’t be there; it’s a painful thing for me. That game against Ghana, I keep on imagining it till now. But in football, you have to get a sad day like that.

“At the end of that game, I spent more than three days without eating. Even my wife kept asking, why are you still thinking?

“The young players still have a lot of time. But I thought that would be my last World Cup. I can’t say anything more because that’s what God decided is going to happen.”

The disappointment saw angry Abuja fans invade the pitch and destroy parts of the stadium facilities. Reflecting on the ugly incident, the 29-year-old Eagles captain said he hid in the dressing room for more than three hours.

“After the (Ghana) game, we the players were in the dressing room for three hours. We could not go out because of the fans. Everybody was angry about the result,” he added.

“That stadium was at its best that day. NFF did their best. We stayed in one of the best hotels in Abuja. It’s just the luck that we didn’t have that day. So, we don’t have to blame anyone. We, the players, have to take the blame.”