Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, has penned an apology to Nigerians after the team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup holding in Qatar.
Nigeria had failed to qualify for the mundial after it succumbed to the away goal rule in the second leg playoff fixture against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Balogun noted that it was painful for the team to miss out on the World Cup, which everybody put in their best to achieve. He added that the Super Eagles recognised the role football played in the country’s unity and urged for calm among the fans.
He said, “For the support you’ve shown us from afar, in front of your TV’s, in Kumasi, but especially in Abuja. In my 8 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 first, 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. I will probably always remember this painful exit as my darkest hour with the national team.
“As players, we understand how much of an impact football can have on the mood of the nation – therefore we share your disappointment, frustration and the pain.”
After Nigeria failed to qualify, fans invaded the pitch of the National Stadium and destroyed some of the infrastructures which led to a ban on the use of the facility by the Confederation of African Football.
The defender who plies his trade with Scottish side, Rangers FC, called for Nigerian supporters to rein in their emotions and keep supporting the Super Eagles.
“Please let’s not allow emotions over what is out of our control now to get in the way of what there is to achieve in the future.
“Players and coaches will come and go, but remember: you and your support will always be needed as a vital part of the Super Eagles.
“Abeg Naija no vex, make WE move forward in Unity – The Super Eagles of Nigeria go soar again,” Balogun stated.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup is the second time since the Super Eagles’ debut a the 1994 edition. Nigeria missed out on its first World Cup in 2006.
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