THERE were ugly scenes at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday night in the aftermath of Nigeria’s elimination from the Qatar 2022 World Cup playoffs.
The Super Eagles lost out on the away goals rule to Ghana after both legs ended 1-1 on aggregate.
With the first leg ending 0-0 in Kumasi last Friday, the Nigerian side needed to win on Tuesday to advance to the World Cup but the game at a packed Moshood Abiola National Stadium finished 1-1.
Ghana captain Thomas Partey gave his side an early lead when Francis Uzoho’s blunder let his speculative shot squeeze through.
William Troost-Ekong equalised for the Super Eagles from the penalty spot after Ademola Lookman was brought down, but it was not enough to qualify for the World Cup.
Apparently incensed by the result and the flat performance, hundreds of fans broke through the safety barriers at the stadium and charged at the players and team officials.
The fans also discharged fireworks and upended the substitute benches in their anger.
Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt and the unruly pitch invaders were eventually cleared by stadium security.
The 60,000-capacity stadium in Abuja was overflowing with spectators as efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation and the sports ministry to draw a full house paid off.
At least 20,000 free tickets and free buses were secured for the fans, while government workers in the city were allowed to close three hours early.
The fans turned out in their numbers and filled up every inch of the massive stadium, and some of them got overzealous after watching the tepid showing of their national team.
It is not clear yet what action will be taken by the governing bodies following the unpalatable pitch invasion, as FIFA and the Confederation of African Football could yet sanction Nigeria.
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