Furious Nigeria fans STORM pitch after missing out on Qatar World Cup

Police were forced to use tear gas to diffuse violent clashes with supporters after angry Nigeria fans stormed the pitch following a 1-1 draw with Ghana. 

A packed out Abuja National Stadium in Nigeria quickly turned sour when the final whistle and it was confirmed that Ghana had progressed on away goals, ending Nigeria's hopes of reaching the World Cup in Qatar later this year. 

Fans flooded onto the pitch and the surrounding pitchside areas to show their annoyance at a failed qualification campaign. 

Those supporters who stayed in the stands watched in disbelief as dugouts were ripped from the ground and various items were launched at players from both sides as they tried to race down the tunnel to take refuge in the dressing rooms. 

Social media soon showed clips of advertising boards being defaced and clashes between supporters and police as officials looked to quell the growing numbers of pitch invaders. 

Police were forced to fire tear gas out onto the pitch in a bid to take control of the ugly scenes in Abuja. 

There was all to play for after a 0-0 draw in the first leg and Arsenal's Thomas Partey gave Ghana a dream start by netting the opening goal.

William Troost-Ekong drew Nigeria level from the penalty spot but the away goals rule meant that Nigeria needed to go and win the game once Partey scored, something they failed to do.

Ghana missed out on the last World Cup in Russia and so this acts as redemption for them.

For Nigeria, this is the first time since 2006 that the Super Eagles will not have qualified for FIFA's showpiece tournament.     

Ghana will be joined by Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon as Africa's representatives in Qatar. 

'I'm really delighted, exhausted,' Ghana boss Otto Addo told Joy