‘Nigeria’s Failure To Qualify For The World Cup A Very Big Absence’ Says Blatter

‘Nigeria’s Failure To Qualify For The World Cup A Very Big Absence’ Says Blatter

Sepp Blatter, a former head of FIFA, called the Super Eagles’ exclusion from this year’s World Cup “a very big missing.”

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In the playoffs back in March, the Eagles fell to their fierce rivals, the Black Stars of Ghana.

The Black Stars held the Eagles to a 1-1 tie in the return match in Abuja after a scoreless draw in the first leg in Kumasi.

Additionally, Blatter voiced his dismay over the phone in a conversation with well-known Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana regarding the Eagles’ failure to advance.

‘Nigeria’s Failure To Qualify For The World Cup A Very Big Absence’ Says Blatter

“I have to tell you that I am very disappointed that the Super Eagles are not at the Qatar 2022 World Cup,” Blatter said.

“How can a big country like Nigeria not be in Qatar? It is a very big absence. I am not happy at all about this.”

On the quality of football at this year’s World Cup, Blatter said:“The football is not extraordinary. But it is certainly not bad football. Teams from CAF and CONMEBOL can play at any time of the year. This is not so for the UEFA teams.”

ALSO, READ Nigeria’s Super Eagles Position Declines In Latest FIFA Ranking

The Swiss berated European countries for their criticism of the timing of the Qatar World Cup.

He added:“The FIFA World Cup is not the privilege of the Northern Hemisphere. We should not stick to a June/July World Cup calendar because of Europe. The World Cup does not belong to Europe.

“They (UEFA) need to adapt to the realities of the present and not think that they are entitled to have everything. There is pressure from new countries to change things, especially the Arab countries. And they have the economic power [to push their agenda].

“Football has two billion followers and the game has to be played within the geo-political structures of our world.”

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