Football enthusiasts in Akwa Ibom State have expressed sadness over Nigeria’s loss to Ghana during 2022 World Cup play-off match on Tuesday.
During the explosive match played at M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Abuja that witnessed a high level of hooliganism, Super Eagles lost to Black Stars of Ghana in a 1-1 encounter.
Radio callers from some private radio stations in Akwa Ibom expressed anger over the loss and blamed it on what they called ‘failed leadership’ in the country.
Callers on Passion FM, Uyo were sad that Nigeria had lost the match a day after terrorists attacked and killed passengers of Abuja-Kaduna train.
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While some callers blamed the loss on the lackadaisical nature of some players, others heaped the blame on the doorstep of what they called ”clueless’’ coaching system.
One Omasco Ekeke said it was sad that football being a major unifying factor in the country has relegated to the background.
”Football is a major unifying factor in the country. I wonder what will keep Nigerians together and make them to laugh and forget about their hardships and sorrows before the 2023 general elections.’’
Some callers called for disbandment of the team while others wanted a sack of the entire coaching crew.
Analysts and callers from Comfort FM, Uyo showed apprehension over the defeat by Ghanaian National team.
One Dr. Ukouwak, an analyst blamed the defeat on what he called ”failed leadership in the country.’’
According to him, ”the country has a failed leadership. This has shown in every facet of life in the country. Football is not an exception. I was disappointed about the loss. I saw it coming.’’
From Planet FM, Uyo, the callers baled the loss on the venue. Some thought the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should have taken the venue to Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo; others suggested that it should have been any other stadium other than the National stadium owing to how government and politicians have ‘’soiled’’ the land.
To check hooliganism, most of them castigated the hooligans for damaging facilities installed by Aliko Dangote and other spirited individuals and called for their arrest to serve as a deterrent to others.
Others blamed the government for opening the stadium for more than 70,000 spectators against 60,000 approved by FIFA without putting enough security agents in place to guard against the unforeseen incident.
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.
Defeat was a massive blow for Nigeria, who were chasing a seventh appearance in eight attempts since debuting at the 1994 World Cup.
But the Super Eagles fell behind early on when Partey’s shot from outside the box slipped between the hands of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho into the net.
It was the latest in a series of blunders by Nigerian goalkeepers with Maduka Okoyo blamed for the Tunisian goal that knocked his team out of the recent Africa Cup of Nations at the last-16 stage.
Troost-Ekong was the calmest person in the cauldron of noise midway through the opening half as he sent Ghana goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalise.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen had the ball in the net for Nigeria soon after, but it was ruled offside after a VAR check.
Nigeria applied constant second-half pressure, but could not break down a Ghana defence marshalled by Leicester City centre-back Daniel Amartey.
Ghana started the two-leg tie as underdogs after a dismal showing at the Cup of Nations in January, with a loss to minnows the Comoros condemning them to a humiliating first-round exit.
