Tear gas fired at angry Nigerian fans over World Cup qualification failure
Nigeria and Egypt lose hope of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Nigerian outraged supporters flooded the field of the 60,000 capacity stadium
Nigerian security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of angry fans who stormed the pitch and went on a rampage after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup late Tuesday.
Outraged supporters flooded the field of the 60,000 capacity stadium in the capital, after Ghana upset the home team by forcing a 1-1 draw to win the African play-off on away goals and melt Nigeria's hopes of appearing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Angry Nigeria fans storm the stadium, after Nigeria lost to Ghana and failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Abuja, Nigeria.#NGRGHA pic.twitter.com/9lnnZdj4vN
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 29, 2022
Some of the fans smashed benches while others chanted "Pinnick must go! Pinnick must go!!", referring to the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.
Tuesday's match marked the first time since October 2011 that the Nigerian football team played in MKO Abiola stadium, which underwent about a one-million-dollar renovation spearheaded by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote.
In the same context, Senegal crushed Egypt's dream of qualifying for the World Cup, after it won the second leg of the African play-off 1-0 in Diamniadio thanks to a fourth-minute goal from Boulaye Dia, and the teams finished level at 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.
SADIO MANE SENDS SENEGAL TO THE WORLD CUP!!!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 29, 2022
INCREDIBLE SCENES! 🇸🇳🙌 pic.twitter.com/g2ycfzsIhd
As was the case in the Africa Cup of Nations final last month, Liverpool star Sadio Mane was entrusted with taking the crucial fifth Senegal kick, and once again he made no mistake to give his side a 3-1 penalty victory.
Among the three Egyptians who failed to score in the penalty shoot-out was Sane's Liverpool teammate Mohammad Salah.
It is noteworthy that Egypt is a seven-time African champion - a record on the continent - but has only qualified for the World Cup three times, the latest in 2018.
