Leon Balogun has described the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as “my darkest hour” with the national team.
Perennial rivals Ghana snatched the 2022 World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria on the away goals’ rule after both teams played out a 1-1 in Abuja following a goalless draw in Kumasi.
In a lengthy social media post, Balogun appreciated the total support the Eagles received from the country, while admitting how painful it was to crash out of World Cup reckoning to rivals Ghana.
“I will probably always remember this painful exit as my darkest hour with the national team,” he wrote.
“In my eight years as Super Eagle I have never seen so many hopeful and joyful faces supporting us, pushing us on relentlessly to reach our common goal and it was both incredibly touching and overwhelming.
“Everybody tried, everybody wanted to qualify so bad and play at the World Cup 2022 – for the 1st, for another or one last time.
“The harder it is to accept that our best, individually as well as collectively, wasn’t good enough to make that happen – even more so given the rivalry.”
He again apologised on behalf of the team, vowing the Super Eagles will come back stronger and better.
The Rangers defender showed class by going into the Ghana dressing room to congratulate the Black Stars for their qualification to Qatar 2022.
