Nigeria would have been embarrassed in Qatar — Siasia

A former Nigerian international, Samson Siasia, believes Ghana beating Nigeria to deny them a World Cup ticket saved Super Eagles fans from suffering pain during the just concluded Qatar tournament.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for their seventh appearance at the global competition in the Gulf nation after losing on the away goals rule against their West African rivals Ghana in a two-legged African qualifying fixture.

However, the 55-year-old Siasia, who handled the Super Eagles from 2010 to October 2011, believes if Nigeria had qualified, they could have registered embarrassing scorelines.

“We would have been embarrassed out of the World Cup with shocking score lines,’ Siasia told Football Live, adding: “The Super Eagles have no business going to the World Cup and losing out to the Ghana team we played against is enough proof.”

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Siasia, who managed 51 international matches for Nigeria and scored thirteen goals, has contradicted Nigeria goalkeeper John Noble, who believes Nigeria would have reached the semis of the tournament.

“If the Super Eagles had the opportunity to play at the World Cup this year it would have been a different thing altogether,” Noble said in an earlier interview, adding: “The players were ready and wanted to give their best, especially those who have never been to the World Cup.

“If Nigeria had qualified it would have been a different story because I believe in the spirit in the camp and I believe Nigeria would have gotten to the semi-final.”

Ghana who beat Nigeria to the World Cup ticket failed to get past the group stage after losing the opener 3-2 against Portugal, they then recovered to beat South Korea 3-2 but suffered a 2-0 defeat against Uruguay to exit the stage.

Senegal and Morocco made it to the knockout stages, with the Lions of Teranga losing 3-0 to England in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions reached the semis where they lost 2-0 against France and fell 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place playoff fixture.