Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo says he should be blamed for Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the round of 16 after losing 1-2 to Argentina in their final group D game played yesterday.
Nigeria finished with three points one short of Argentina who are through to the next round where they will take on France, who were top in group C in the knock out stages.
Speaking at the mixed zone, Ighalo who missed two chances to put Nigeria 2-1 up said he accepts responsibility for Nigeria’s failure but insist that the Eagles should have been awarded a second spot kick after Marcos Rojo handled in the area.
Referee Cuneyt Cakir used the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before deciding not to award what would have been a second spot kick to Nigeria, a decision which according to Ighalo isn’t the right one.
” Without the help of VAR that would have been understood but since we have the technology to remove such errors, we should have gotten another penalty. It’s a pity the referee thought otherwise “, Ighalo said.
” On my part I should have done better with the chances that came my way but that is football. I just told the journalist out there that I accept total responsibility for our failure to qualify. I’m very sorry “, he concluded.