Rampaging fans inside the Abuja stadium causing mayhem as police fire tear gas
Fans riot as Ghana dump Nigeria out of 2022 World Cup qualification
Super Eagles of Nigeria’s lacklustre performance continued, Tuesday night, as they were dumped out of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by the Black Stars of Ghana at the 60,000 full-capacity Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
At the end of the match, fans in anger refused to leave the stadium as they subsequently invaded the pitch.
Chaos descended on the stadium as the police fired tear gas canisters onto the pitch to disperse the rioting fans who had resorted to destroying stadium facilities.
The Super Eagles had earlier Friday drew with the Ghana national team in the first of a two-legged fixture for one of the five available tickets allotted to Africa ahead the global football tournament coming up in Qatar, later this year.
Heading into Tuesday’s reverse fixture needing an outright win, as the away goals ruled applied in the Africa qualifier, Nigeria conceded the first goal in the 11th minute through Arsenal FC midfielder, Thomas Partey’s low drive from outside the box, which crept underneath Francis Uzoho, the Super Eagles second choice goalkeeper.
However, when Ghana’s Denis Odoi fouled Ademola Lookman in the box, it needed VAR check for referee to point to the spot for a penalty to Nigeria, which captain William Troost-Ekong converted in the 22nd minute.
The Super Eagles thought they had gotten the lead in 33rd minute after Victor Osimhen had put the ball into the Ghana net, but another VAR check overruled for offside.
The first ended 1-1.
The second half had the Super Eagles dominating possession with no end result.
After five minutes of added time, the Tunisian blew off the match as Ghana secured the World Cup ticket for Qatar.
The loss provoked fans at the stadium to riot, as they invaded the pitch in anger calling for the sacking of the Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen.
The Super Eagles home record continued on its disappointing run of only two wins in as many matches played.
