Oluwasemilogo Ajayi has revealed he is still in dealing with the pain and disappointment of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria was beaten to the ticket by regional rivals, Ghana, in the playoff last March.
The Super Eagles played lost the contest on aggregate score; playing goalless in Kumasi and coming from behind to force a 1-1 outcome in the 60,000 capacity MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Chaos ensued after the final whistle as irate fans descended from the stands, destroying pitch panels and the technical area.
As a result of the melee, FIFA slapped Nigeria with a one-match stadium ban, ordering the Country’s first International home game to be played behind closed doors.
Recalling the outcome of the World Cup playoffs, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, who was on the bench for both legs of the tie expressed pain at the outcome.
The Center Back told FL that he’s still dealing with the pain of missing out on the tournament, but will use it as motivation to do more for the team.
“It was a very very painful day, if anything I’ll probably say I’m still dealing with it now; the disappointment of not going (to the World Cup), but we have to put that behind us,” Ajayi stated.
“If anything, I’m trying to use that to fuel my motivation to make sure something like that never happens again.”
Meanwhile, the CB rejoins the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and expressed exciting with being back.
He said, “I’m really happy to be back, especially back in Nigeria we’re looking to put some positive result for the game on Thursday and again on Monday, so yes just looking forward to the games.”
