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Former Nigeria coach Augustine Eguaveon has rejected claims his time as Super Eagles gaffer was a failure after missing the World Cup. 

The Super Eagles, under the leadership of Eguaveon failed to qualify for the World Cup after Ghana urged them via the away goal rule.

Reacting to the disappointment of seeing his side crumble to Ghana in Abuja, the former Nigeria captain blamed his players for not showing character.

“We lacked the character, zeal to beat Ghana when it mattered most," he told Super Sports.

“The Ghanaians showed they wanted it more than our boys and that was why it ended that way.

“We didn’t do any of that. We did not fight or push enough for the winner and how do you do that? It is with fast-paced football, creating chances but that didn’t happen.

“In Kumasi, the Ghanaians were better but in Abuja, the Eagles were the better side but could not win.

“The games between Ghana and Nigeria are always very difficult. If we had lost in Kumasi or in Abuja, I would have regarded myself as a failure but we lost on away goal.

“We didn’t lose the game but we lost the ticket to qualify for the World Cup.”

Ghana are making and return to the global showpiece after missing the 2018 edition in Russia.