The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologized to the federal government and football fans after the national team failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
On Tuesday in Abuja, the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Ghana, failing to qualify for the World Cup due to the away goal rule.
Despite the best efforts of the football house and the Sports Ministry, the team was unable to secure a World Cup ticket, according to NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
He said, “There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The Government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place with the active support of the Sports Ministry and; Nigerians turned out en masse to support the team. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is sad that things turned out the way they did.
“Sport is about winning and losing. Nobody wants to lose but sometimes it happens that way. We are quite sad that despite playing a draw in Kumasi, the Super Eagles could not win here in Abuja. We apologize unreservedly to the Government and people of Nigeria for this non-qualification.”