Many Ghanaians may be angry with the senior national team, the Black Stars for losing 0-3 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their last group B World Cup qualifier at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

But to the Nigerians, especially their football association, it was a blessing.

The NFA members and even the head coach Amodu Shaibu's job were on the line if the Stars had pulled even a draw with them.

A source told GNA Sports in an interview in Port Harcourt that some of them had even started packing, knowing what Ghana was capable of doing.

He said if the Super Eagles had failed to qualify for the mundial slated for Japan/Korea next year, it would have taken the team over 20 years to recover.

The source said most of Nigeria's key players, including Austine Okocha who was voted the best player in Sunday's game and was presented with 5,000 dollars, would be out of action by the end of next year's world cup -- "and it may be difficult to bridge the gap between these players and the new ones".

"The Black Stars did not only save the NFA members but the entire nation from going through this ordeal", the source said. His statement became very real when the Stars were leaving their Rachael Hotel in the heart of Port Harcourt. People lined up along the streets to waive at the predominantly home-based Stars who failed to glitter on Sunday.

Even at departure, scores of soccer fans thronged the airport to bid the Stars good bye.

The Stars conceded an early first goal through Victor Agali and Tijani Babangida added two more before half time.

The Ghanaians played the entire second half with 10 men after substitute goalkeeper Osei Boateng was shown the red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.

Skipper cum striker Emmanuel Osei Kuffour took over his place but never conceded a goal.