The Super Eagles’ dreams of playing at the Qatar 2022 World Cup were shattered after a 1-1 draw at home to Ghana ensured that the Black Stars would claim the ticket on away goals rule.
In the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Nigeria, secured a goalless draw. They just need to beat the Ghanaians by any margin in the second leg in Abuja to clinch a ticket to the Mundial slated for December.
However, it became a sad night as a howler from Francis Uzoho gave Ghana the lead. Troost-Ekong equalised for Nigeria just eleven minutes later, but that was all the Super Eagles could muster, as their huffing and puffing resulted in nought.
As expected, Super Eagles fans have not taken the situation lightly, as they have taken to social media to show their anger. Whilst some were done with civility, others were absolutely immature and crude.
Uzoho had a very shaky game, and fans came for him. He was subjected to a lot of banter and criticism.
I blame @Uzoho(SuperEagles Goalkeeper) for his lazy and bad reaction to @Partey's shot.. It wasn't supposed to go in..
That's the one goal and attempt that sent our @SuperEagles out of @WorldCup2022— Mr New Guy (@MrNewGuy_) March 30, 2022
Maduka run away for Uzoho to collect. It seems goalkeeping isn’t one of the strongest part in this talented Super Eagles squad. Maduka’s error caused Nigeria in the AFCON. However, the attacking talents couldn’t score when they were needed the most.
— ENRIQUE CANTONA (@minkaeric) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/Azwonda/status/1509105606916980737?t=vIR3Rg13YLuEvRfRUn9UOA&s=19
https://twitter.com/pahpies/status/1509105500356595715?t=ex6uzDQBRVykJ6MGCQToNQ&s=19
Uzoho is a very useless goalkeeper
— Abubakar Yakubu (@Abudgame) March 30, 2022
Uzoho should be selling zobo, Eguaveon should be selling mosquito coils
— Rue (@BigsmokeP) March 30, 2022
Uzoho fans dumb af
— Obi Of Africa (@Gentle_Obi) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/dsecondjin/status/1509102187959533571?t=a1PAHQLjesTPtq8jcO6NYg&s=19
How can we not have a decent goalkeeper in the 21st century @NGSuperEagles all three goalkeepers have cost us Akpeyi Vs Algeria Fine boy Vs Tunis Uzoho vs Ghana and many more https://t.co/WjE9r18i2A
— Abu Jawad (@Erons_Ozil11) March 30, 2022
No backlash against Uzoho (as it should be) but you guys wanted to eat Maduka raw. Maybe, just maybe, you guys were jealous of the attention he was getting.
— chịbụịkem oko-ịsu (@cokoisu) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/emekakickoff/status/1509099411737042950?t=nkD3s6mk2Bu1xD29Ejrb9A&s=19
Ghana beat us with just one shot on target. One weak shot. C’est la vie!!
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) March 30, 2022
That shows the importance of having a QUALITY GOALKEEPER in between your sticks. Going Forward, when you want to scout goalkeeper for us, make sure you always look out for quality before any other stuff. Uzoho and Maduka are simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH. That's the bitter truth. https://t.co/SvMsFrAwBX
— OLUFISAYO (@manlikefisco) March 30, 2022
Uzoho on other hand ,…… https://t.co/s30ixx7G6c
— Mr. Aremu (@niyorty) March 30, 2022
The issue is politics. We have better keeper in the NPFL, look at Kayode bankole. Man has been on a great form in the league this season.. That Uzoho guy nah the black version of Okoye am so sorry to say this. It better we start using our local players.
— Baale_Of_Barcelona (@DanielOluwasem5) March 30, 2022
Uzoho was just the highlight of all the banter. Other members of the team came under fire, including interim coach Augustine Eguavoen and NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
https://twitter.com/Edwyeen/status/1509063289350803456?t=L-a9WjjpAHvejkphvPzjzQ&s=19
Has Amaju Pinnick resigned as President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after the shambolic performance of the Super Eagles yesterday?
Some people dey blame Uzoho (goalkeeper) when midfielders did not create scoring chances for their strikers #AFCON pic.twitter.com/j1vhVBjgq6
— My name is Dare Kuti (@dkuti82) March 30, 2022
Super eagle play nonsense match yesterday but i don't know what is wrong with our player am so confused.. Nigeria know what is right but the will not do it on time .. they are some small player in Nigeria who are ready to make name why can will help them but why Nigeria
— Samuel (@Samuel705903061) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/its13thdisciple/status/1509118144668962830?t=TtBh91w5aUaua9qMOZ0VYw&s=19
https://twitter.com/chris_onah/status/1509117587069747209?t=nbQcnjlT3OKxuKbMUEoflQ&s=19
On last night football encounter against Ghana. My say on the match was that Super eagles didn't play well as a team, they played more individual play. It's a football team, not a tennis. Only few players were brilliant last night. The technical director/adviser has a lot to do.
— King Fortune (@FortuneHaywhy) March 30, 2022
I have already made plans to go and watch the Nigeria game against Ghana. Then something came up and I had to travel out of town. Thank God I didn't get to witness poor performance from our super Eagle team and that show of shame from our fans after the game.
— Oba of Ilorin (@Ajet_247) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/Mhiestro_Burns/status/1509063797515948033?t=5PQujvPgHCVZtkOACGgCaA&s=19
https://twitter.com/DehrykOfficial/status/1509100249679372288?t=gsi3G3MwVSd8N5zeW3cPnA&s=19
Ever since Mikel Obi retired after 2019 Afcon, the Super Eagles have lacked a Truly genuine Midfield Conductor & Middle game orchestrator. Someone capable of dictating our plays, switching plays swiftly & conducting better transitions offensively. This is a hole yet unfilled.
— David C.O.L. Michael (@07SuperNerd) March 30, 2022
Eguavoen has been a coach in Nigerian colours at least since 2001. His best result in 20 years is still that third place AFCON finish in 2006. He’s literally failed at everything else including managing NPFL clubs.
— Rilwan Balogun (@Real1_balogun) March 30, 2022
Amaju Pinnick used the Super Eagles as cover all along and sold the dummy of progress with World Cup qualification. Nothing else grew under him. It’s the morning after that inglorious night and I’m surprised he’s yet to resign. Must I tell Eguavoen to walk out the door?
— Rilwan Balogun (@Real1_balogun) March 30, 2022
I’ve seen my team lose many times and I accept it as part of the game. I was at the stadium today and the organization shocked me more than the result. The entire sports ministry, starting from Mr Sunday Dare absolutely bottled it. Disgraceful.
— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) March 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/ojbsports/status/1509038117113802755?t=FEjlKKfGzz41gwCZlXSv1w&s=19
Normally Amaju Pinnick suppose resign, but he won’t. He wants to go for another term as NFF president. FAILURE!#NGAGHA #WCQ2022
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) March 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/Real1_balogun/status/1508950997997178889?t=OMdjw77QtSgVWhgbQLMaiQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/sidramatics/status/1508874127205097472?t=7SCPZudIGu0lzdzlBFWAPg&s=19
https://twitter.com/oluwatobility/status/1508883526761922560?t=bQ7AoLLg10Wc5WXnDSTgQg&s=19
https://twitter.com/OgaNlaMedia/status/1509089088489627648?t=wZFKJMYV-8b4BDZldfMIbg&s=19
Amaju and Eguavoen right now. pic.twitter.com/RYEsDGPwtl
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) March 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/Emiearth/status/1508884113436119047?t=tMA8mMmrnGVfxjKmAdmlxw&s=19
Make sure Eguavoen doesn't leave the stadium if he's not inside white colored Police van with handcuffs.
— … (@Sxmto_) March 29, 2022
Amadu pinnick I blame most.1st our couch was sack fr bad performance,,we now had egwavor as acting…it on unfortunate that same mistake and line up he played against Tunisian was same he played against Ghana in da 1st leg..e never learnt from his mistakes..and y I blamed amadu pinnick was e had da chance to employ a Portugal couch but because of selfishness e opted not.simple fact is we had professional players playing in Europe in da team so why not get an European couch instead..