Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has stated that he is not solely to be blamed for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Nigeria missed the Mundial ticket to archrivals Ghana in the doubleheader playoffs in March 2022, after the Black Stars secured qualification via the away goal rule.

Ghana held Austin Eguavoen’s side to a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi before securing a 1-1 draw at the MKO Abiola Stadium in the return encounter.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey gave the visitors the lead in Abuja after Uzoho failed to stop his long-range effort, before William Troost-Ekong equalized from the spot for the three-time African champions.

The Omonia Nicosia shot-stopper came under severe backlash from fans after the encounter. However, the 25-year-old believes the entire playing body should be blamed for the failure.

“I can’t take that responsibility alone,” Uzoho told Eagles Tracker as quoted by OwnGoalNigeria.

“I had a good game in Ghana, but when we came to Abuja, it didn’t go the way we wanted.

“Trust me, I wouldn’t let that ball pass me out of fear, it just happened.”

Uzoho has since lost his number one spot in the Super Eagles team to Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali.

The former APOEL Nicosia goalkeeper was the second-choice goalkeeper during the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Uzoho has missed out on the last three Super Eagles call-ups since the AFCON.