The Super Eagles of Nigeria settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
The game was pretty balanced, with both sides finding it hard to create clear cut chances. However, Nigeria thought they had nicked it late in the game after the referee awarded them a penalty. Unfortunately, the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
The decision was met with mixed reactions, as while some fans felt it was the right call, others slammed the referee for the call.
Also, Nigerian fans shared their disappointment with the result as they believed that the team could have done better. Eguavoen was criticised for some of his decisions alongside players Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze.
@diamond885fm the super eagles didn't perform up to expectations yesterday, however, I feel we should be able to progress if the players can up their game in the second leg. The coach also need to make his tactics known and count too. Soar super eagles. #allroundfootball
— Babatunde Goodness Alabi (@alabigoodness) March 26, 2022
Cerezo is very poor tactically. No disrespect though. I am scared for the Super Eagles on Tuesday. Man couldn't fix the problem we witnessed for the entire game. Please bring back Rohr.
— Abiola Maylaw (@AbiolaMaylaw) March 25, 2022
@finecountryazu1
Let me dwell on the Super Eagle's match last night. Uzoho did very well, same with the defence. But the midfield? Oh lord, only two boys I fit pick there; Onyeka and Aribo.
We lack service in the attack, Osimhen was handful to the Ghanaian defence. It is well— Harry Promise (HP) (@HarryPromiseHP) March 26, 2022
I don't like criticizing Super Eagles players because the corrupt system won't let them give their all for this country.
But Samuel Chukwueze own is too much make Eguaveon drop am small.
— Aᴋᴡᴀ Iʙᴏᴍ Fɪʀsᴛ Lᴀᴅʏ Oғ Sᴘᴏʀᴛs (@_ekemininelson) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/CreativeOliverX/status/1507621618348171264?t=62l318sUFhiLTBGx3txZcQ&s=19
The super eagles really gave us a dull weekend and d fact that there is no club football this weekend make it harder.
— Bako Shakirudeen Kehinde (@kehinde_bako) March 26, 2022
That pitch affected moses simon play. He should also know that he his not Neymar or ronaldinho.
Super Eagles get fans for abuja?#GHANGR
— Abiodun Ola Emmanuel Tltw (@AbiodunOlaEmma1) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/Emanuellightt/status/1507485980252684288?t=loiZvruc7LFmIsaBjvBZiQ&s=19
Balogun and ekong really holding on well at the defence..
Ndidi is really missed In the midfield
But how did VAR ruled out that hand ball
That was a daylight robbery #GHANIG #EndSARS
Super eagles— T Kay Oseleye (@tkayose) March 25, 2022
Nigeria's Super Eagles Hass just been robbed of penalty using and an African #VAR Ghana Vs Nigeria
— Habu Kale Tijjani Yajiwa (@Habuhk4) March 25, 2022
I said this before the game that if not the VAR the referee will find a way to cheat Ghana and it happened. I don't know weather he is a South African referee, CAF must meet the referees because at this stage it is very crucial.
— RANSFORD OBENG EGHAN CAVANI (@ObengEghan) March 26, 2022
In retrospect, I think Ghana played nonsense yesterday, and Nigeria got her tactics spot on. Running around like headless chickens isn’t proper football. It’s just vibes. We were one bad refereeing decision/No VAR away from an Eguaveon’s masterclass.
— Joseph I A (@Joeyafen) March 26, 2022
Now that The VAR has done a lot for Ghana within 90 minutes than 6 years of Akufo Addo been in an office, Mr President cN you now resign for the VAR to take over the country?#GhanaVsNaija #SaudiArabianGP #BBMzansi #ABridgertonAffair #maufemor #WCQ22 #جدة_الأن #XIUMIN
— Maufemor (@maufemor7) March 26, 2022
Ghana deserve no commendation. D penalty denial was clear cut day light robbery. Who would disallow such, even after confirming at d VAR? Only in africa
— Kokane (@pedro_idris) March 25, 2022
Can we at this point agree that Ghana is superior to Nigeria when it comes to football…..and my love for Nigeria is second to none.
— Ross Michael (@RossMic22316489) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/debornair99/status/1507625157749358594?t=ubOhTx6bIS-etJkAuONMvw&s=19
https://twitter.com/giniekay/status/1507624194854506503?t=8g4X89joMVcVmJcs9rDHDw&s=19
Nigeria players playing like ghana female team
— isaiah (@mademan_16) March 26, 2022
Sincerely Nigeria needs a more experienced coach after we send Ghana home on Tuesday
— kaypee44 (@Icee_KiD) March 26, 2022
The truth is that Aribo is not our best No 10 yet.
We are not yet ready for this conversation yet.
— Temitope (@IamTopsy4real) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/__Wil_son_/status/1507626237744893955?t=GyHcU6LiUG4YbDmJbCTS7w&s=19
https://twitter.com/MAgbogidi/status/1507623658637955072?t=QqNquF66V0VpZeyJR-Mh2A&s=19
Funny, I don't think Ndidi available yesterday would have changed much. He ( Ndidi) doesn't offer much on the ball either. If we really want to control games, we gotta find controller. (None available in this team, Etebo maybe) And use Aribo effectively.
— Eji. (@Ejiike) March 26, 2022
I thought I was the only one thinking like this, I wasn't expecting Aribo to be removed so early. Ihanacho was missing in the midfield. I hope he plays both etebo and Frank together so as to allow Aribo push forward.
— Holuwaphemmy Esq ♥️ (@fem_samson) March 26, 2022
Chukwueze&Moses did not create chances for the striker.
2nd leg: In the left wing, start Sanusi and Bassey, then let either lookman or Dennis move inside the box with Osihmen whenever they attack.
Start Onyeka and Etebo in the defensive midfield then Aribo at 10 @NGSuperEagles— Ntiedo Ekott (@ntyedoekott) March 26, 2022
Pls don't bench Aribo pls in second leg you need to bench senior man pls
— Ahmad Qasim (@AhmadQa48316683) March 26, 2022
Bench Iheanacho, put Aribo behind Osimhen. Drop Chukwueze and bring in Lookman.
— J. (@Jephersvn) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/designedbyamos/status/1507618779097931777?t=XQ5YcCjVSKoC6FhQn1i79g&s=19
The midfield is a big problem..
Aribo played well but
Iheanacho and the other guy didn't gel in midfield at all.
Too many aimless passes.
Felt like we were playing kick and follow football.. No plan.
The wing backs also didn't help much in attack.— Etti of Lagos (@Remostikal) March 26, 2022
The difference between Etebo and Aribo yesterday is that Etebo is more advance with the ball going forward than Aribo. Etebo runs to the two full backs & wingers to recieve the ball.
What Aribo gives you is pocket of short passes inbetween the strikers & he has eyes for goals.
— Temitope (@IamTopsy4real) March 26, 2022
Then the midfield should be oyenka, Etebo, Aribo, and I think ekong needs to be replaced.
— Lbzzy19 (@lbzzy19) March 26, 2022
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians were very impressed with the result, as most feel the game is still in their hands heading to the second leg in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Ghanaians were firm in defence, albeit their work was made easier by the profligacy from the Super Eagles attack. And the Ghanaian defenders were duly praised for their performance.
We need to have critical conversation about our striking department.
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) March 26, 2022
We threw in an 18-yo and a 19-yo attackers with less than 10 top-flight football games combined against Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun
I'm so impressed with Otto Addo's steel
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) March 26, 2022
Man, you're too good.
Osimhen's boss. pic.twitter.com/S8mqYxjDdc
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) March 25, 2022
We will have won this game if Dede Ayew had played. We didn't have any aerial threat today
— Ne-yoGh (@mhosiz) March 25, 2022
Champ, you dey try. Please release the ball faster OK? pic.twitter.com/koVVNDLqxM
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) March 25, 2022
Ghana played beyond my expectations tonight. Hoping for an even better display on Tuesday.
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) March 26, 2022
Ghana’s back four was solid today. Gideon Mensah had a very good game at left back and Amartey and Djiku were so good. Odoi was decent as well. Overall, this was a much much better performance than the nonsense football they played at the Afcon.
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) March 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/addojunr/status/1507485189466988544?t=4KQnKcQdeviUqEa6oUE4Ww&s=19
https://twitter.com/Yaw_Ampofo_/status/1507630043656335365?t=8GY2wzaAECRcQ9WbTRTvrw&s=19
Bench chukwueze then bring in lookman